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Bustin’ Clays For Our Heroes event gives hope to local veterans

Published 10/01/2014

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THE WOODLANDS, Texas - Bustin’ Clays for Our Heroes is a sporting clay tournament benefitting TIRR and the Memorial Hermann Foundation to raise funds for rehabilitation for our military veterans. Honoring and helping local injured veterans is the main reason for creating this event.

“Our first annual Bustin’ Clays for Our Heroes event was a resounding success and we thank all of our sponsors and participants for supporting us,” stated Mike Karlins of Karlins, Ramey & Tompkins, Certified Public Accountants, and Event Host. “We raised approximately $40,000 which is now benefitting two of our local veterans in Montgomery County. Our goal is to keep the money here and by partnering with TIRR Memorial Herman The Woodlands we are able to do that!”

After a detailed screening process, TIRR determined that Mr. Jeffrey Clark and Mr. Migerial Garza fit the bill. “We wanted to make sure that we were going to be able use these funds to support those veterans whose insurance was not covering their treatment already,’ noted Mikael Simpson, OTR, MBA, Director of Rehabilitation Services TIRR Memorial Hermann the Woodlands. “We are thrilled to partner with Bustin’ Clays because it gives us the ability to help those veterans that are falling through the cracks because they cannot afford to get the treatment that they need.”

Mr. Jeffrey Clark served 7 years active duty in the Army and the National Guard, participating in Desert Storm. He also worked for 17 years with the US Border Patrol where he broke his back suffering extensive nerve damage and was listed as permanently disabled. After waiting 14 months before he could get surgery, and without treatment in a timely manner through the Veterans Administration (VA), his disability escalated and he is now at 80% use.

“Being able to participate in the program was absolutely fantastic for me,” Mr. Clark explained. “With Medicaid I couldn’t use private insurance to get the rehabilitation services that I needed, and I simply could not afford it. I currently do combat trauma and post-traumatic stress counseling and I know how important it is to have someone care. TIRR has given me that private attention with people who care!”

Mr. Clark will be receiving Occupational Therapy & Physical Therapy.

Mr. Migerial Garza is an army veteran, serving in Vietnam and was medically discharged after experiencing a back injury. Most recently he suffered a debilitating stroke, and the VA identified him as 100% disabled due to nerve damage, noting that Mr. Garza would no longer have the use of his right hand, as well as serious speech problems.

After being chosen to receive the Bustin’ Clays funds by the TIRR team, Mr. Garza has undergone several physical rehabilitation sessions and is already seeing the progress, giving him and his family the hope of recovery.

A tearful Nicole Chavez, Mr. Garza’s daughter, expressed the family’s gratitude, “We just felt that we were in a hopeless situation before, but this program is a life saver.

We can’t believe his progress, especially after the VA said there was nothing they could do. We are so grateful to Bustin’ Clays for letting my dad participate.”

Mr. Garza will be receiving Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Therapy.

Plans are underway for next year’s Bustin’ Clays for Our Heroes scheduled for Thursday April 23, 2015 at Creekwood Shooting Sports, so mark your calendar if you’re a sportsmen, gun enthusiast or novice.

For more information on Bustin’ Clays for Our Heroes please visit the links provided below or contact Veronica at 281.364.0245 or Cathleen at 713.242.4450.

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