Bassmaster Elite Series angler Edwin Evers and Optima Batteries have announced a new effort to raise awareness and funds for America’s combat-wounded Purple Heart veterans and their needs, as well as heal their physical and emotional wounds.
Together with the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation (WWIA), Evers and Optima will kick off the “Healing Heroes in Action Tour” on March 12, before the official practice period for the Sabine River Elite Series in Orange, Texas.
The tour will feature four other events coinciding with Evers’ travels on the tournament trail. At each event, Evers will partner with a combat-wounded Purple Heart veteran identified by WWIA to compete in a head-to-head fishing contest. The two-man challenger team will be selected by an online auction held on Evers’ Facebook page.
The schedule is as follows (exact bodies of water will be announced, but will be within driving distance of the Elite Series sites):
> March 14 – Orange, Texas
> April 4 – Guntersville, Ala.
> May 30 – Paris, Ten.
> July 25 – Waddington, N.Y.
> Aug. 8 – Cecil County, Md.
All funds raised through this effort will go to WWIA, a national non-profit organization dedicated to serving the nation's combat-wounded Purple Heart veterans by providing world-class outdoor sporting activities. The foundation will identify those who will fish with Evers and will provide transportation, lodging and assistance for them at the chosen body of water.
Optima and Evers’ other sponsors will be providing additional resources for the events and prize packages for both the veteran and the highest-bidding team, who will compete against Evers and his partner.
“Edwin Evers and Optima Batteries share a deep admiration and appreciation for the sacrifice made by our troops who serve at home and abroad,” said Cam Douglass, marketing director for Optima Batteries. “We decided to team up with Wounded Warriors in Action to give deserving veterans the experience of a lifetime and at the same time, raise needed funds for an organization that is all about providing healing experiences in the outdoors for those who need it most.”
For those interested in the chance to compete head-to-head against Evers and his partner, supporting this worthwhile cause and receiving a gear package from Evers’ sponsors, visit Facebook.com/EdwinEversFishing and watch for posts indicating auction times and dates.
“I hear from people all the time who say they would love to fish with or even against me,” said Evers. “Now is their chance to do just that, and to sweeten the deal, each team will get some incredible gifts from my very generous sponsors and the opportunity to help our nation’s combat-wounded veterans in a really special way.”
Information about the first outing can be found below in this post from Evers' Facebook page:
For more information on the Healing Heroes in Action Tour, to find out how to donate or bid on the chance to fish against Evers and his veteran partner at one of the events, please visit OptimaBatteries.com.
