Country music fans around the world are donating to the Italian Cowboy Harry James sponsored coastal cleanup boat.
Wounded Nature-Working Veterans serves to clean up the coastal environment by employing veterans reentering the workforce.
For $20, any person or company name could appear on the sponsored boat.
Harry James is best known for his toe tapping “high energy” fiddle show. He dedicates his music to his hard working fans.
“It’s all about the music, and making my fans forget their problems during my performance” James said.
In collaboration with the non-profit organization Wounded Nature, James
encourages everyone to donate and educate people on coastal trash and the effect it has on marine life.
“What’s happening to those animals is cruel,” James said. “I don’t have a lot money, but I can surely lend a helping hand.”
Wounded Nature CEO Rudy Socha considers Harry the perfect representative for the cleanup.
“Harry served our country in the Ohio National Guard for six years as an E-5 Sergeant,” Socha said. “He loves our coastal areas and veterans, and therefore is a fantastic branding fit for our organization.”
With the funding of three new boats, Wounded Nature will significantly reduce or eliminate downtime due to maintenance problems. If a vessel should happen to break down it would not impact Wounded Nature’s ability to appear at scheduled appearances.
“It isn’t the government’s job to cleanup the environment,” Socha said. “We can handle that much.”
Kenneth Lacy, an Army Vietnam veteran, agrees that veterans deserve work.
“I was a grandfather before I was able to get a job at Owen’s Corning to provide for my family,” Lacy said. “I would have jumped on the opportunity to work for Wounded Nature.”
The first Wounded Nature boater cleanup is March 15. It’s going to be hosted by the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina in South Carolina at 11 a.m.
The boaters will gather for a sign in and briefing. After the cleanup, there will be a cleanup party that will include prizes awarded for most unique items found and all volunteers will be entered for some unique door prizes.
United for the cleanup, companies like Boeing, Cummings, and Barefoot Wine have joined the cause. Each organization has committed to providing volunteers to aid the anticipated cleanup.
Robert Solas, a fourth-year environmental science student from Newark, N.J. is excited about the cleanup and donating opportunity.
“It feels good to know that there are people who care about marine life,” Solas said. “I’m looking forward to meeting Mr. James and other like-minded volunteers.”