Clear Lake Area Chamber Of Commerce: Clear Lake Connections Podcast Episode 43 | S.E.R.V.E.Ing The Community.

Press release from the Clear Lake Area Chamber Of Commerce:

November 24, 2021

On a special Veteran’s Day episode of Clear Lake Connections Podcast presented by UTMB Health: Meet Jay and Lauri Coppock, Owners of Charred and Starred. In this week’s episode, Jay and Lauri Coppock discuss their efforts in giving back to first responders and military service members through their business of making unique wood flags and how through this they contribute to the community. The Coppock’s also talk about their work with S.E.R.V.E. (South East Resource Veterans’ Effort), a nonprofit organization based under Associated Credit Union of Texas and how they make sure veteran’s in this area have resources and can get help if needed.

6-7 years ago Jay wanted to start a community development corporation at the credit union and he found out the statistics for Galveston County for veterans had no services for them whatsoever and that they all had to go into Houston. He met a gentlemen and together they began to refer each other based on their own organizations and they brainstormed more and that’s how S.E.R.V.E. started in 2015. It ran under their nonprofit and allows them to network with veteran organizations and it helps them get to know members in these organizations so friendships can be made and resources could be shared. It was truly magic. They just celebrated 6 years and they are well known. They are proud of S.E.R.V.E. and how ACU has a nonprofit community based program. Its unbelievable how many people they can help with the services that are available.

The Coppock’s want people to know that there is so much out there that people don’t know about.

They are very focused with the veteran and first responder community and they got involved with this because quite a few of Lauri’s immediate family members are police officers. It hits close to home for them and this is where this process started. With S.E.R.V.E. it allows them to do more in the community. First responders and military usually go hand in hand.

Charred and Starred started 3 years ago and it started because Jay got a few flags presented to him and he thought they were the coolest thing. Jay then called to see how it was done and then took off with the idea and fell in love with the art behind it. The process of making these flags is the United States flag with 13 pieces of wood for the stripes. He tries to stay proportional with the way it is built. He then gives you have the ability to personalize it with the branch of the military’s flag. People are extremely creative on how they want their flags and he has done so many different designs and has made at least 575 different flags.

The name of their business comes from setting it on fire and then the stars come from the stars on the flags. They started doing mostly military flags with the Coast Guard being their most made one. Then they had people asking them if they could do different ones. Now they’re doing a variety of them. They want it to be individualized for every person and every flag is different and even put messages on the back.

The most important thing for Jay is hand delivering it to people and seeing the reaction on their face when they receive it. They like to see their idea come to life.  When Chris Reed passed away they made flags for his family and that was something that tugged a heartstring with the Coppock’s because they knew him very well. Then they found themselves making flags for Kayla’s family. They make a lot of flags also and donate them to charity. They don’t ask for anything in return but they love donating them to various organizations and they also sponsor many events. With all the work that they do for the community they feel as though it brings veterans and first responders together full circle. It is truly amazing to see their passion progress from S.E.R.V.E. and then turn into Charred and Starred

They are both successful in business outside of this. By balancing their businesses  and their business together, this has helped them learn how to time block considering they are also super involved in the community.

You can find Charred and Starred on both Facebook and Esty.  They haven’t served but now they get to serve by contributing to the community. It’s all about making sure veterans in this area have someone to reach out to and all of a sudden it’s a little bit more.

If you know a veteran that needs resources or can’t get help or doent know where to go send them to info@setexasheros.com

This press release was produced by the Clear Lake Area Chamber Of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.