About Our Organization

The Amelia Island Charity Group began in 2011 as a result of Larry Byrd, attending a golf fund raising event in memory of Petty Officer First Class SEAL Joshua Harris. Joshua was a family friend of Larry and his twin sons, Chris and Carey. Twelve weeks after returning from the memorial event, with the efforts of the original 11 volunteers, the first event to benefit the Navy SEAL Foundation was held on Amelia Island. Every year, with the exception of 2020 due to the Corona virus, Amelia Island Charity Group has hosted a November golf tournament/dinner and auctions to benefit the Navy SEAL Foundation.

Amelia Island Charity Group Founders were:

Carey Byrd, Chris Byrd, Larry Byrd, Mike Clower, Ken Graham, Lee Kaufman, Joe Murphy, Chuck Panella, Curt Platte, Louis Tuzy and Al Watson.

In 2014 the Patriot Day Ladies Luncheon was added as a second annual event to benefit the Navy SEAL Foundation and in 2016 we joined the Navy SEAL Foundation 5K and Tad Pole Trot race series.

The sole purpose of the Amelia Island Charity Group is to raise funds to benefit the programs of the Navy SEAL Foundation to support our Naval Special Warfare communities and their families.

As a volunteer organization the Amelia Island Charity Group, Ambassadors for the Navy SEAL Foundation has a tremendous team of volunteer ambassadors at large that assist with each of our events. Our annual events attract a generous community and allow us to continue to support the Navy SEAL Foundation, an accredited, 4 STAR ranking by Charity Navigator. The Foundation is ranked in the top 90% percentile as a charitable organization which utilizes .95 cents of every dollar contributed to supporting their Legacy programs.

The Navy SEAL Foundation (NSF) is a solid and high performing 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization committed to excellence. It has been awarded its 10th consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and earned a spot on their ‘Perfect 100’ list for the sixth consecutive year! This designation places the NSF in the top 1% of the 9000+ charities rated based on their financial health and commitment to transparency and accountability. 94 cents of every dollar donated directly funds their programs or is retained for future mission use.

There is an unprecedented demand for our Special Operations Forces. Much is being asked of so few, from so many, for so long. Established in 2000 to serve U.S. Navy SEALs, Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen, Naval Special Warfare support personnel and their families, the Navy SEAL Foundation’s programs are focused on the preservation of the Naval Special Warfare force and their families. Their goal is to provide immediate and ongoing support and assistance to the Naval Special Warfare community and its families.