A fish story with a happy ending
Catching a fish may not seem like a momentous event, even if it is your first marlin and the setting is a $3 million yacht on the Sea of Cortez.
But if you are a triple amputee who is also recovering from a traumatic brain injury as a result of stepping on a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, it is a very big deal indeed.
Last June, Robert Wolford, chairman of Operation Homefront, a national non-profit organization that assists active-duty military families, took a young Green Beret to Cabo San Lucas on Mexico’s Baja California peninsula for the Stars and Stripes Fishing, Golf and Music Festival charity event.
Not only was the young soldier taken out for the fishing expedition, “he was treated like royalty for the entire weekend,” said Mr. Wolford, who is also managing director at Hollencrest Capital Management of Newport Beach, Calif.
“He was overwhelmed,” said Mr. Wolford, winner of this year’s CLA Volunteer of the Year award. “It was a life-altering event.”
In fact, when the young man returned home, he sent Dick Gebhard, founder of the charity, a thank-you note.
“He said that he now knew for the first time that he had not lost his limbs in vain,” Mr. Wolford said.
“Talk about a heartfelt thank-you,” Mr. Wolford said. “The letter is now framed in Dick’s office and inspires him every day to continue to work hard for our troops.”
The same can clearly be said about Mr. Wolford, who spends an average of 25 hours a week as volunteer chairman of Operation Homefront and has personally helped raise more than $1 million for the organization since last year.
In fact, he has been instrumental in expanding contributions from about $3.5 million in 2006 to more than $17 million last year, according to Amy Palmer, co-founder and acting chief executive of Operation Homefront.
“GRACE UNDER FIRE’
Mr. Wolford has also “borne a disproportionate share of the burden of time, energy and personal treasure,” according to John Howard, a retired Army brigadier general who is on the organization’s national board.
“He has demonstrated a deft touch, grace under fire and the uncanny ability to make hard decisions,” Mr. Howard said.
As a result, the non-profit has flourished.
Operation Homefront now has more than 4,000 recurring volunteers, 37 national staff employees and 32 chapters across the country.
Last year, the organization answered more than 65,000 calls for assistance from active-duty military families.
“We believe it’s our collective responsibility to support the troops and their families,” Mr. Wolford said. “These kids are risking their lives for our freedom on a daily basis, and we have a moral obligation to support them — now more than ever.”
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