In 2023 Girl Scout Morgan Matherne and Brook Miers contacted Commissioner Kent Pollard about a project they wanted to do for their badge completion.
They originally got the first donations for life vests and created the signs that are used.
They have since gone onto college but their project grows every year.
“In past years, we have had donations from citizens, Stanley’s General Store, Tenaris and the Texas Department of Health and Human Services and Matagorda Bait and Tackle,” said Teresa Gibbons, Precinct 2 Commissioner’s office, .
This year’s contact was made by the Pilot Club to make a donation and more from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, Gibbons added.
The Pilot Club and the Department of Health and Human Services the Pilot Club and the State Health and Human Services donated life vests to Precinct 2 Commissioner Mike Estlinbaum at the drop off bin near the public access entrance to Matagorda Beach.
Shown above are Estlinbaum, Sheriff Rick Deleon, Gibbons, and Community Health Specialist Bay City Raquel Navarro, who represented the Department of Health and Human Services.
Pilot Club members include Sue Jahnssen, Barbara Smith, Theresa Knebel, Sissy DeLeon, Tina Gallo, Sherry Radford and Loretta Griffin.
To date there have been over 500 vests donated, Gibbons said.
