Paddle 4 Troops to have annual paddleboard races to support veterans

SURF CITY, N.C. (WNCT) — A unique event is taking place Saturday in Surf City to honor former members of the military while raising money for veterans in need.

The Paddle 4 Troops team helps veterans with specific needs while coming together to assist them the best way they can.

“This is our 13th-year anniversary event and fundraiser that helps local veterans in need of assistance,” Paddle 4 Troops CEO Dwight Torres said. “Initially, it was a small standard paddleboard race. It was my youngest son’s idea, Joshua Torres. He thought it would be a good idea to have a race to raise some money to help local veterans in need of assistance. The assistance we give is scholarships for children who have lost their parents in service on active duty. We also provide service dogs and pay for funerals. The service members are asked and our board decides on the best way to help that service member or their family.”

Stanley Griffin has been involved with Paddle 4 Troops for more than 10 years and has a true passion for the nonprofit.

“I value the men and women who choose to dedicate their lives and serve our country and protect it so we can enjoy the freedoms we have,” Griffin said. “The reason we are able to do the things we enjoy is because of those men and women who go to the front lines, and some pay the ulitimate sacrifice, so this is our way of giving back to them.”

Registration for the event begins at 8 a.m. Saturday and the event itself starts at 9 at Sears Landing.

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