In the Gulf Coast community of Rockport, Texas, the local Ducks Unlimited banquet has been an annual staple since its inception in 1978. Over the years the Rockport-Fulton DU chapter has seen exceptional growth, including being recognized as a Presidents Elite chapter. The Presidents Elite designation is reserved for chapters that raise between $100,000 and $249,999 in grassroots income for DUs conservation mission.

Unfortunately, in 2017 the chapter had to cancel its annual banquet in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, but they did not let it keep them down for long. After all the devastation from the hurricane, the volunteers and community still came together to support conservation in 2018, said DU Senior Regional Director Mike Wilson. The 2018 event was incredibly successful, raising more than $108,000 for DUs mission.

Area Chairman J.D. Villa says community support is key to the Rockport-Fulton chapters success. Its a community of folks who want to get together and do something good for conservation. It means a great deal to the committee that we have so much support from our town, he says. Our volunteers are dedicated to making a difference for the ducks, and that shows in all the hard work they put into this event each year.

The 2019 Rockport-Fulton banquet is scheduled on Saturday, October 19.

For more information, visit ducks.org/texas.