Group for disabled outdoors enthusiasts up for national award

Boerne founder inspired by cousin

Weston Jenkins takes his love of the outdoors seriously, which led him to create Disabled Outdoorsmen USA in 2017.

Now, the organization is vying for the coveted Good Neighbor Awards, sponsored by the National Association of Realtors.

Jenkins, a Boeme native and real estate agent, said his nonprofit allows anyone regardless of their abilities to revel in the beauty and thrill of the wild frontier without any barriers.

“Our main focus is to deliver an unforgettable experience that was not previously possible,” Jenkins said.

His efforts and the program’s success — raising more than $2.5 million to send nearly 290 people on more than 190 trips — landed Jenkins as one of 10 finalists for the Good Neighbor Awards.

The awards are decided by vote from the public.

Supporters can support Jenkins as a “Web Choice Favorite” by visiting realtor. com/goodneighbor. The deadline is Oct. 24.

Five winners determined by the judges will each receive a $10,000 grant and national media exposure for their charity.

Five honorable mentions will receive $2,500 grants.

“ Weston represents the power of service to transform lives and communities,” said NAR President Kevin Brown. “His work is an inspiration to Realtors across the country, and we are proud to celebrate his achievement and recognize the meaningful impact he makes every day.”

Jenkins’ efforts deserve national recognition, added a local industry professional.

“We’re incredibly proud to see (San Antonio Board of Realtors) member Weston Jenkins recognized among NAR’s Good Neighbor Awards finalists,” said Gilbert Gonzalez, CEO of SABOR. “Weston took a personal connection to a cause and built an organization that has changed lives.”

Jenkins said the inspiration for Disabled Outdoorsmen USA, or DOUSA, came from a deeply personal experience during a hunting trip with his cousin T.J., who has Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy.

“T.J. is the main inspiration behind Disabled Outdoorsmen,” Weston said. “I want to give others like T.J. the chance to explore the outdoors and feel like they can do anything.”

DOUSA gives people with disabilities the equipment, logistics and funding to get outside, whether that means hunting, fishing, camping or off-roading in a Jeep.

Jenkins’ lifelong dream of fostering inclusion fuels his dedication to DOUSA.

“Passion drives people to achieve goals they never thought possible. True heroes see beyond,” Jenkins said. He added each participant’s journey is carefully planned to ensure a meaningful experience, with the team dedicated to providing the necessary accommodations for a successful adventure.

“The outdoors has a healing capability that allows individuals to focus on what they have, what they love, and to show them that a disability doesn’t define the rest of their life,” he said.

Since its founding, Jenkins has secured access to 28 private ranches across Texas, expanded the nonprofit to Utah, Minnesota, South Carolina and Alabama for DOUSA outings.

“A disability doesn’t define the rest of their life.”

— Weston Jenkins, Disable Outdoorsmen USA