By Lulu

There are great events every weekend for terrific [singlepic id=906 w=320 h=240 float=right]causes and because of our magazine I get to meet the people the stories are about! Often their causes or needs are devastating and tragic. But Cap’t Steve in Amelia Island moved me to tears more than once this trip, but they were not tears of sadness. Cap’t Steve has been taking disabled people on fishing trips of a life time for the past 12 years and here is how the story began.

Steve and a fishing buddy had plans to have a charter fishing business when they got “grown up”. His friend ended up wheelchair bound and getting on or off a boat was near impossible. So Steve rigged a boat to accommodate his friend and the realization that others might miss fishing expeditions due to handicaps led to a lifetime of making dreams come true for many. At no charge he will take military vets that have injuries that led to disabilities that don’t have finances, out on the boat for a day of “therapy for the soul”.

He related the details of a recent trip of an injured active duty dad that after his hospitalization was brought to Amelia Island for a day of fishing before being sent back overseas for another tour. His 3 young sons were reunited with him on the boat and have wonderful memories of spending the day with their father at sea before he returned to Afghanistan.

Being bikers his wife, Wanda, decided to put together a fund raiser to help offset the cost of these trips so that they don’t have to turn anyone who qualifies away. And that is how the Last Leg Rally started. Timing their event right before Bike Week, they catch people coming in from other states and entice them to visit their lovely part of Florida for a day or two. They start with a Meet and Greet [singlepic id=903 w=320 h=240 float=left]on Friday night, have a poker run on Saturday morning with concerts, vendors and a car show Saturday and then Sunday more concerts, a pub crawl and a ride in Bike Show. I really had a wonderful time. Not only is Amelia Island a quaint place, the people all are experts at Southern charm.

Wanda would like to thank those who attended, the vendors, sponsors, Miller Lite, the bands and the help from Sons of Thunder, Groundpounders, Sons of American Legion Post 54, American Legion Auxillary and the American Legion Riders Post 54. None of this could happen without all those that helped.

Put this on your list of events to try next year. Or if you want to hire Capt Steve for your fishing expedition call Ye Ole Pirate Fishing Charters at 904-277-2086. And go to www.lastlegrally.com for more information on their non profit organization.

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