BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE AUTAUGA NEWS
On Saturday the American Legion Post 133 of Millbrook was filled to the brim with people attending a fantastic fish fry to help area veterans in need. By selling fried fish plates, the event raised $1,100 which officials say will go a long way to help.
James “Joker” Gillespie is the Vice President of the OCB Board and said future events are also being planned to expand services and opportunities for area veterans.
“I would first like to give a huge thank you to Jeff Campbell at Front Porch Grill and Legacy Seafood and BBQ for donating the fish. A big thank you as well to American Legion Post 133 for allowing us the use of the Legion Post to hold this event,” Gillespie said.
Gillespie said the fish fry was a fundraiser to help OCB (Operation Charlie Bravo) formerly Operation Combat Bikesaver, part of Veterans Impact Services. The program first formed in Elmore County in 2017, with a shop on the property of Rob and Stephanie Dinsmore in Tallassee. Since that time a shop has been built off property in Tallassee. Robert Dismore is today the President of OCB.
“It is for all Veterans that are honorably discharged, suffering from PTSD, had a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), or just leaving the military and need to adjust to civilian life. We offer diversion therapy on Sunday Shop days with working on bikes, working on cars, learning to paint, weld, and numerous other things. Or, they can just be at the shop to have someone to talk to and hand a tool to while they work.”
Gillespie continued, “We have several programs outside of the shop days where veterans can participate. We have had some success and can say we have kept some Veterans alive with what we do. The only funding we have are the donations we receive. Every dollar we raise has a major impact so we can keep the doors open at the shop and keep the programs going.”
Gillespie was the Chef for the fish fry, and said it is something he really enjoys. He uses his grandmother’s recipe, and along with his wife’s recipe for coleslaw, it was a hit. The fish was hand cut and hand breaded.
“I was born in Enterprise Alabama, grew up in Millbrook AL, spent a lot of my childhood with family in Mobile AL and no matter where I have been a fish fry will bring out the community to support a fundraiser. My wife suggested the fish fry for this fundraiser, and we all agreed and felt it would be a good one. But we never imagined the response we did get. The doors opened at the Legion Post at 2 p.m. and we were set to start serving at 2:30 p.m. By 2:25pm we had at least 50 – 60 orders taken. By 4:30 p.m. we had served almost 90 orders in a two-hour time frame. We sat back in amazement at the end of the day at the outpouring of support and we raised roughly $1,100.”
Gillespie said OCB hopes to hold more fish fries this year, along with some motorcycle rides to continue raising funds.
“From all of the Board of Directors and the Veterans we want say THANK YOU to the community for all of your support. If anyone is interested in making any donations or wants more info on OCB feel free to contact me at 334-451-1988 and I can assist you,” Gillespie said.
