Miss California
Rodeo Salinas 2014, Jynel Gularte, donned a jacket and pulled her cowboy hat,
and crown, down tight to participate in the Monterey Bay Veteran’s (MBV) annual
salmon derby this past Saturday. The Central Coast was receiving some much
needed rain that, unfortunately, made for a rough day at sea for the Veterans
and volunteers as they tried to catch fish. Over 300 disabled Veterans and
Wounded Troops from around the state boarded several party boats and dozens of
private vessels despite the inclement weather and had a great time even though
the fishing was less than stellar. The salmon didn't cooperate on derby day,
though, there were some nice ling cod and other large (incidental catch) rock
fish caught. The Monterey Bay Veterans’
President Bill Reisig said about Jynel, “Not only did she attend the banquets
but also braved the briny deeps with the Veterans aboard Chibasco on Saturday.
She is a plucky young lady for not only did she go out, she caught fish
and helped veterans with their fishing, as well. All this incidentally
while wearing cowboy boots and her Miss California Rodeo Salinas crown (read
that as white cowboy hat). No small feat in rolling seas and 20 + mph
winds. I guess that's what they mean by ‘cowboy (girl) up.’”
The California
Rodeo Salinas came to support the Monterey Bay Veterans via the Wrangler
National Patriot Program in 2011. That program was created to provide funding
and support for America’s wounded and fallen soldiers and their families. This
nation-wide program allows rodeo committees to choose a local charity to raise
awareness and funds for; that charity here is the Monterey Bay Veterans, Inc. The
California Rodeo Salinas’ participation in the program has raised almost
$15,000 for Monterey Bay Veterans, Inc. MBV volunteers will operate golf carts
to help move individuals who have a difficult time traveling long distances by
foot from the parking lots to the entrance of the California Rodeo Salinas July
16th-19th and during the Professional Bull Riding on July
15th at the Salinas Sports Complex. You can donate to the Monterey
Bay Veterans at http://www.carodeo.com/events/2015/wrangler-national-patriot-program
Monterey Bay
Veterans, Inc. offers sports rehabilitation therapy for Veterans and Wounded Troops.
Their mission statement reads: Monterey Bay Veterans
Inc. (MBV) is a volunteer based, non-profit organization which exists
to honor and support those who have served and sacrificed for our nation.
Ultimately, integration of the physically challenged community into normal
daily activities and recreation is the core of MBV’s mission. MBV uses a
wide variety of marine and land based services and activities to focus on
possibilities and potential. This is accomplished by accommodating and
challenging physical limitations and reducing emotional stress through
social integration. To learn more about the Monterey Bay Veterans visit www.mbv.org.
To learn more about the Wrangler National
Patriot program visit http://www.wranglernationalpatriot.com/wnp_home.php
About
the California Rodeo
The California Rodeo Salinas
will take place July 16-19, 2015. The California Rodeo Association is a
not-for-profit organization that strives to preserve and promote the traditions
of the California Rodeo Salinas and the West. We support the community and
other non-profit organizations through the staging of the annual California
Rodeo Salinas and other year round operations of the Salinas Sports Complex.
Through donation of our facility, vending and fundraising opportunities during
Rodeo and other events, the California Rodeo Association returns between
$200,000 and $300,000 annually to local non-profits. For more information about
the California Rodeo Salinas, log on to www.CARodeo.com or call the California
Rodeo Office at 831-775.3100. 'Like' the California Rodeo
on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CARodeoSalinas or follow us on twitter
@CaliforniaRodeo for updates, photos and more.