BEAUMONT — Support from Southeast Texas residents and industry leaders is helping Texas Game Wardens better protect the region’s waterways, according to Captain Ryan Hall of the Texas Game Warden service.
Hall spoke following the recent Gear Up for Game Wardens fundraiser at Courville’s in Beaumont, an event that raised tens of thousands of dollars to support public safety efforts across Region IV.
“I’ll tell you, it’s beyond explanation,” Hall said. “It’s really encouraging when you see a group of good folks come together, look at the big picture and offer to help.”
The fundraiser followed a $100,000 donation from Cheniere and helped secure the purchase of a $170,000 shallow-water patrol boat, specifically designed for areas such as Keith Lake and for emergency response during flooding and hurricanes.
“We have personnel on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, putting themselves in the line of fire,” Hall said. “When there’s a hurricane coming, everybody else is running — and we’re staying right here.”
The event was hosted by Courville’s owner Rich Courville and his family and featured food, raffles, auctions and community fellowship. Courville was introduced years ago to the S. Reed Morian Gear Up for Game Wardens program, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides specialty equipment beyond what state funding covers.
While the state supplies the essentials, organizers stress that additional equipment remains critical to meeting the demands placed on wardens throughout Texas.
Numerous local businesses, including H.B. Neild Construction, supported the event and its mission.
“It’s important to give back to the communities where we work,” said Taylor Neild Sr., CEO of H.B. Neild Construction. “Supporting Courville’s efforts to provide Game Wardens with the tools they need to increase public safety in Southeast Texas is a must for our organization.”
Courville said the success of Gear Up for Game Wardens events is rooted in trust and accountability, noting that donors consistently see their contributions go toward specific, locally identified needs.
Most importantly, funds raised directly support equipment requests made by Game Wardens serving the region. To learn more about the Gear Up for Game Wardens program or to donate, visit gearupforgamewardens.org or call 214-720-1478.