Pin-Up gals go old school to help our Veterans

By Allyson Pebsworth
Staff Reporter

Bringing funds and smiles to local Veterans all over the four states area, “Texas Pin-Ups for Vets” is looking to make a difference one event at a time.
After realizing how the smaller, local hospitals and clinics were missing out on funding, Alisha Barrington spoke to the president of a similar organization that works on a nation scale, who had not heard of several of the smaller, local areas in need of funding. That’s when Barrington decided to take action and in August of 2015, “Texas Pin-Ups for Vets” was formed.
“Texas Pin-Ups for Vets” is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting local VA vospitals and clinics in the Ark-La-Homa-Tx area, as well as boosting the morale of Veterans and currently enlisted personnel.
The organization’s first ever main event was held October 2015 at the American Legion Post #488 in New Boston, Texas which raised money for the Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center in Bonham, Texas. Soon after, another event was held in July 2016 to support the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Having an organization locally centralized the organization is able to raise money to support the VA hospitals and clinics in the four states area. Since the majority of local Veterans use the hospitals and clinics that are located outside of Texas, Barrington believes, “It makes perfect sense to support where our local Vets are going for treatment. We have attended and held many smaller events throughout the past to show our support and raise awareness for our Vets in need – and will continue to do so long into the future.”
Events usually consist of breakfast and lunch dinners, car shows, poker runs, raffles and auctions, and while most events raise funds for local Vets, some are geared toward helping the families of those Veterans as well. The latest event the “Texas Pin-Ups” were included in was recently with the American Legion in New Boston to help raise money for Cindy Karr who is battling cancer.
There are usually two “main events” a year for the “Texas Pin-Ups for Vets”, but the group attends many other events to help show their support. The organization’s next “Main Event” is scheduled for the March 4, 2016 at the American Legion #488 New Boston, a Chili Cook-Off and Car Show.
Texas Pin-Ups for Vets has several other upcoming events in our local area that the community is invited to attend. The group will be visiting with the Moose Riders at the Elks Lodge Texarkana on October 22, 2016, “Car Night” at Steak N Shake in Texarkana on the 27th of October; numerous parades to include the Texarkana Christmas Parade, Forest Festival Parade in Atlanta and the Cullen Baker Fair in November (we will also have a booth and be selling baked goods at the Cullen Baler Fair).
The organization holds a “casting call” once each year to recruit/audition new “dolls” for the group. They must arrive in character, fill out a questionnaire/application as well as be interviewed by the panel of current Texas Pin-Ups.
The present-day “Texas Pin-Ups” are Alisha Barrington aka: Miss Bunny LeBlanc, Christi Sellers aka: Miss LaLa L’More, Angela Lowrey aka: Miss Ava O’Malley, Brandi Edwards aka: Miss Amethyst Skyy, Darlene Higgins aka: Miss Annie Presley, Carolyn Bias Stringer  aka: Miss Pebbles Von Tease, and Rebekah Eaton aka: Miss Rizzo Sapphire.
A calendar is now in the works that will feature the “Texas Pin-Ups” and will help to raise funds for the Veterans. Once the project is finished, those interested will be able to purchase copies for themselves, or even give one as a gift to a veteran or current service member. Any donation to the organization is tax deductible and the EIN number is 81-3905159.
Barrington stated, “We need your support to help bring smiles to the faces of our Texas Veterans and Service members - hopefully this is something you will join in with us to do! There are lots of ways to help out – any support would be truly appreciated!”