Veterans Day events will extend throughout the weekend this November in Magnolia. The first Cooking for Courage barbecue cookoff and fundraiser will be held Nov. 13-14 in Unity Park.
Event organizers are now accepting donations, auction items and sponsors for the event.
Gari Lynn Hessong, Cooking for Courage event organizer and veteran, has previously served as the chairperson of the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce barbecue cookoffs for the past five years. This year, she has stepped down from the role to organize the first Cooking for Courage event.
“I wanted to put on a barbecue cookoff that benefited veterans, so I reached out to the Lone Survivor Foundation,” Hessong said. “They were more than happy to partner up and be the recipient of the proceeds.”
The Lone Survivor Foundation is a Texas-based nonprofit organization that works to build retreats and rehabilitation centers for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Founded by Magnolia resident and former U.S. Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, the organization provides free counseling and holistic therapies for veterans.
“The retreats allow the veterans to get the help they need to be able to function as a civilian when they come back from war,” Hessong said.
To organize and raise money for the event, Hessong founded nonprofit organization Texans United For Freedom to serve as an umbrella organization for the cookoff and any future events to benefit veterans and first responders.
The weekend will kick off Nov. 13 at 5 p.m. with a Salute to Veterans, a free dinner for veterans, a fireworks show and live concert. Judging for the cookoff will begin at 10 a.m. Nov. 14 and will be overseen by the Lonestar Barbecue Society. Registration is limited to the first 80 teams and will cost $200 per team. General admission for both days will be free.
Silent and live auctions will also be held Nov. 14 with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting the Lone Survivor Foundation.
Hessong said those who are interested in donating items or funds for the event are encouraged to contact event organizers through TUFF’s
Facebook page.
Veterans Day events will extend throughout the weekend this November in Magnolia. The first Cooking for Courage barbecue cookoff and fundraiser will be held Nov. 13-14 in Unity Park.
Event organizers are now accepting donations, auction items and sponsors for the event.
Gari Lynn Hessong, Cooking for Courage event organizer and veteran, has previously served as the chairperson of the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce barbecue cookoffs for the past five years. This year, she has stepped down from the role to organize the first Cooking for Courage event.
“I wanted to put on a barbecue cookoff that benefited veterans, so I reached out to the Lone Survivor Foundation,” Hessong said. “They were more than happy to partner up and be the recipient of the proceeds.”
The Lone Survivor Foundation is a Texas-based nonprofit organization that works to build retreats and rehabilitation centers for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Founded by Magnolia resident and former U.S. Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, the organization provides free counseling and holistic therapies for veterans.
“The retreats allow the veterans to get the help they need to be able to function as a civilian when they come back from war,” Hessong said.
To organize and raise money for the event, Hessong founded nonprofit organization Texans United For Freedom to serve as an umbrella organization for the cookoff and any future events to benefit veterans and first responders.
The weekend will kick off Nov. 13 at 5 p.m. with a Salute to Veterans, a free dinner for veterans, a fireworks show and live concert. Judging for the cookoff will begin at 10 a.m. Nov. 14 and will be overseen by the Lonestar Barbecue Society. Registration is limited to the first 80 teams and will cost $200 per team. General admission for both days will be free.
Silent and live auctions will also be held Nov. 14 with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting the Lone Survivor Foundation.
Hessong said those who are interested in donating items or funds for the event are encouraged to contact event organizers through TUFF’s Facebook page.
