HARLINGEN — Dave Rempe has had his own share of hard times the past couple of years.
He lost his gym here in Harlingen, had a brain trauma that was undiagnosed for months and has recently lived in his truck.
But, he still has close ties to the Valley and was back here earlier this month to deliver some crosses he built and gain support and help for a project he is working on in Florida.
About 60 miles north of Tampa, an anonymous donor helped Rempe acquire a piece of land. It is located on the 46-mile Withlacoochee State Trail and close to a river.
Rempe, who talked a year ago about starting an anti-drug and alcohol program here in the Valley, wasn’t able to, but now has found a home for his project in Florida.
His Christian Soldiers for Kids program is focused on keeping kids away from drugs and alcohol.
Rempe’s desire is to create an obstacle course with a Ninja wall and zipline as well as provide bikes, canoes and kayaks. His facility will be open to youth groups and more.
Their only requirement to use the obstacle course and other facilities — sit through a 30-minute anti-drug and anti-alcohol presentation.
He also hopes to get some help from the Army for cargo nets and Home Depot for other materials to make his dream obstacle course a reality.
Rempe said the Tampa and surrounding areas in Florida remind him of the Valley — drugs, prostitution, human trafficking, poverty and more. He said he headed to Tampa and found Light of the World Tabernacle in Port Richey. He went there to carry his cross around and in the process found people willing to help his cause and try to turn around the problems of Tampa.
Harlingen accountant Fred Garza from STMS Tax Service is helping Rempe acquire his nonprofit organization status in Florida as well as Texas. He said he has helped Rempe in the past called him someone he admires for the efforts he is making.
Rempe hopes one day he can bring a similar type of facility to the Valley.
“One guy can make a difference,” Rempe said. “I think we are going to do good in Florida and I want to do the same thing in Harlingen. I am going to be back.”
