Clay Eichler Memorial Fund

We raise money for selected non-profits in our community. We live in such a giving environment . When our son Clay passed away, it was impossible to decide only one agency for memorials to be made. We chose to start a non profit raising money for charities in our hometown and surrounding area. We are not only raising awareness for non profits but also raising funds for non profits at the same time.

We have a Golf tournament during the day followed by a concert in the evening. Clay loved country music so the first year we had his favorite band. The next 2 years we had country music but realized we were not any different from some of the local venues who had country music concerts.
Our 4th and 5th years we had a Beatles tribute bands and an ABBA tribute band. These were good moves on our part. Last year, we had a really great crowd for the concert- despite the weather being horrible. This year we are having A Beach Boy Tribute Band, we have learned in our area, we can spend less on a tribute band and have the same effect- dancing and hearing great music.

We also started selling raffle tickets for vacations. We sold 500 tickets last year which helped us with our fundraising tremendously.

Our golf tournament has been successful every year thanks to the local Country Club allowing us to use their course on a Saturday which allows Clay's friends, family and others to play and not have to take off a day of work.

We have a fantastic support group. With over 40 volunteers we are able to reach out into the community. We are also unique because no one has a salary. Everyone who gives to our organization knows the only expenses are the costs to put on the tournament and the concert.
The first 2 years we had a cocktail party the night before to thank our sponsors. When we met to plan the 3rd year, we discussed the expense for the party and voted to do away with it. The overwhelming consensus was no one was sponsoring event in order to be invited to cocktail party. I believe the sponsors appreciated our determination to be good stewards of money given.

In the five years we have had a golf tournament and concert, we have done the following
Established an Endowed Scholarship in our sons name at Texas A&M University-Texarkana
Established 4, one year scholarships at Texas A&M University- Texarkana
Established the ArklaTex100 Club- 501 (c)(3)The goal of the Ark latex 100 Club is to raise funds for the dependents of our first responders lost in the line of duty. Remaining funds will be used to purchase any unbudgeted but necessary life-saving equipment and additional training.
We supported the 100 Club another year to help raise money. The 100 Club in turn funded over $250,000.00 in equipment to police and firefighters in Bowie and Miller Counties and presented Correctional Lisa Mauldin widow $15,000.00 within 48 hours of her death.
The past 2 years, Clay Eichler Memorial Fund was instrumental in providing funds to move the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club from its old location for 40 children to its present location ( old elementary school) for over 100 children with summer programs.
This year because of COVID-19, we postponed our golf tournament and concert from May to August 22, 2020. We are currently selling raffle tickets, sponsorships and team reservations. We have raised a little over half of our goal prior to Covid-19. We will cut back on our already tight spending allowance for decorations, etc. We are confidant our golf and concert will sell out as we get closer to the date.