Margate Sports Complex. {Margate Talk}
By Richard Zucchini
Komim Kares, a private organization dedicated to Margate advocacy, is gearing up to host an event that honors veterans and brings the community together. Titled “A Salute to Veterans in the Park,” this event will take place on Veterans Day, Saturday, November 11, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Komim, which stands for Keep Our Money in Margate, is holding the Salute to Veterans as a tribute to the military service of residents and the broader community.
While the City of Margate will host its annual Veterans Day morning celebration, Komim Kares’ event will take place in the evening.
Dr. Gary Wilder, author, minister, and retired US Marine Master Sergeant, will serve as the Master of Ceremony. Dr. Shereef Elnahal, Under Secretary to Veterans Administration in Washington DC, will provide a video address. Veteran Michael Jaros will also share his personal experiences, offering a unique perspective on military service.
Founded by resident Rob Reiner, Komim Kares aims to strengthen the bond between Margate’s residents and local businesses while fostering a sense of community through grassroots events.
He said, ”Local businesses connecting with residents for a better community” is the organization’s motto, and it’s a sentiment that resonates with many in Margate.
Rob Reiner, a firm believer in giving back, established Komim Kares as a volunteer group of concerned residents who meet weekly to discuss community plans. The group actively encourages more residents to join their movement and make a difference.
The organization first made its mark with its inaugural event on June 10. The event featured live music by Shadow Creek, food trucks, merchandise raffles, and over 80 vendors displaying their products. It was held at the Margate-covered Sports Arena, a state-of-the-art facility available for rent through the City of Margate for private and public events.
Notable sponsors, including Carrabas, Aburto Dental, Toasted Café, Big Daddy’s Pizza, Giant Tires, Ultimate Tools, FLEX Power Tools, Community Cable Consultants, My Stack Box, and Hotwire, helped make the event a success.
The event brought the community together and included raffles with prizes such as TVs and power tools. It was a testament to the organization’s commitment to connecting residents with local businesses.
Now, they’re set to host the event, featuring various service providers for veterans, including Mission United and others.
Komim Kares has produced special veteran recognition dog tags that will be distributed to veterans. These tags will be accepted at participating vendors offering exclusive discounts for veterans. A QR code for the tags will direct users to a Komim Kares website listing these service providers, encouraging support for these veteran-friendly establishments.
Participating businesses will display the organization’s veteran-friendly window decals to highlight their commitment to veterans.
The event is open to the public, welcoming all to express gratitude to those who have served or are currently on active duty. The Margate Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has extended its support by allowing Komim Kares event signage on their usual street sign locations.
In addition to the November 11th event, Komim Kares has initiated a school art contest with a military service theme at participating Margate schools. Award winners will be announced at the event, encouraging students to join in recognizing and honoring military service.
Regarding funding, Reiner personally finances these events, with occasional sponsorships to help cover costs. Recently, Komim Kares has also taken an interest in addressing homelessness in the city and will distribute the BSO Homeless Resource Guide to its members.
Residents who want to get involved in Komim Kares’ activities or volunteer to help you can reach out through their Facebook group or contact Rob Reiner at 954-444-5782.
Margate Sports Complex is located at 1695 Banks Rd, Margate, FL 33063.
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