BigBendFishing.Net

Thanks for posting that.... I've ridden in quite a few charity rides and poker runs in support of the Wounded Warriors...(and riden many milkes to do it) I'm disappointed to hear of the organization's policy toward firearms but more disappointed to hear that only 30% of the funds raised actually makes it to the our wounded warriors... I'll still support the wounded warriors in any way possible even if they're only getting a small slice of the pie but in the future I'll be asking questions.

Here is part of an article that will be coming out in the December issue of the Wakulla Area Times. This portion describes an organization put together solely for helping wounded warriors spend time healing via fishing. They have just opened up a Chapter in the area. I apologize for the length of the article, I figured it was easier to cut/paste it, so it came across clearer. The author is my father who is a retired Fire Chief (and Vietnam Vet that received 2 Purple Hearts serving as a Corpsman with a Marine Unit) who now is the volunteer Fire Chief for the Ochlockonee Bay VFD in Wakulla. Feel free to use the phone number included in the article, etc if you want to get involved with this project.

The Tarpine neighborhood and Wakulla County are fortunate to have a resident by the name of Dr. Volney Steele. Dr. Steele came to us from Bozeman Montana and is a retired Pathologist and never to be retired outdoorsman and author. Dr. Steele became a part of our lives after an injury he suffered and the Ochlockonee Bay VFD and Wakulla Ambulance service responded to. Dr. Steele’s misfortune was our good fortune because we met a wonderful and interesting man.
While Dr. Steele was in Bozeman he was a founder of an organization that decided to take returning wounded soldiers and give them a really great week away from the hospital. The goal is to take some of the soldiers with the worse injuries and those looking at long term hospitalization and rehab and give them a really nice few days as a Thank You.
In the Bozeman area there are great fly fishing streams so the organizers decided fishing would be great therapy for the soul and the body. The organization found a Biblical reference to Warriors and Quiet Waters and that became the name of the foundation. Dr. Steele showed my firefighters pictures and stories from Warriors and Quiet Waters and we wanted to do something to help and now there is a Warriors and Quiet Waters Southern Chapter. This is with the total support and help of the original chapter.
It is our goal to bring small groups from military hospitals to Wakulla for a few days of enjoying the best of the Big Bend and the Wakulla County area. We hope to give these warriors that are facing long term hospitalization something to make them smile and make them know they are appreciated.
This is not a Fire Dept. organization although the original organizers are members of the Ochlockonee Bay Dept. To make this work it is going to take far reaching support and volunteers of all sorts. We have volunteer nurses, a doctor and dentist but the other support people and fundraisers have to be found. Our first group of Warrior/patients will be housed at the Wakulla Springs Lodge; it does not get much more serene and peaceful than Wakulla Springs.
We will be looking for funds to cover transportation, lodging and meals. There will also be costs associated with the fishing and equipment. We are hoping to find guides that are willing to volunteer or give some deep discounts to these returning Warriors. We will be looking for a handicapped friendly vehicle to transport them around the area. Maybe a tour company or limousine service will step up on transportation.
Later we hope to find a place to house these small groups (4-6) and have it feel more like home to them. The Doctors and the people that have been doing this for a while say the soldiers need to stay in a place where they can lean on each other for support. The bond between wounded soldiers is probably something only they can understand.
In Bozeman they have found success in putting the group in one large place. Ladies who are mothers or wives of soldiers that are overseas come and treat the patients like they are family. The ladies cook and care for the warriors and it is good for everyone. I know that after a long period of chow hall and hospital food a home style meal is wonderful.
We have a lot of learning to do before we come up to speed but are taking our first tiny steps now. If you think this is something you would like to be involved in or know of people that could help with the project please contact us:
Warriors and Quiet Waters
5032 Capital Circle SW
STE @ PMB # 138
Tallahassee, Florida 32305-7886
Our fishing with warriors.com site is under construction. Phone # is 850 597 3419
You can also look at the original Warriors and Quiet Waters website: http://www.warriorsandquietwaters.org/ If you choose to donate while you are at their site please make a note that it is intended for the Southern Chapter. A donation sent to our mailing address would be less complicated.

What a crying shame that liberals have stolen this great project. I have helped them in the past, but no more!

WOW....Scoop-You did it again!

Thanks....much to think about!

Why couldn't we do this like "Take a Kid Fishing"?

This came from their WEB SITE. http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/mi ... cials.aspx

And this from the BBB web site http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/nati ... /financial

While is doesn't change any concerns about the firearm policy, it does speak to the financial claim "they use only 4% for administrative cost"

Someone should post Scoop's copy and paste over on the FS forum

I'm not on the FS Forum, but please feel free to cut/paste and put it over there. As I understand, one of our fellow BBF.NET members has contacted the Warriors Quite Waters program and volunteered to help out on this project. I will be working on it, as well as my wife. I hope more of ya'll can find the time to help or make a donation, etc. It's going to be a pretty heavy load: lodging, transportation, medical care while they are here, etc, etc, etc. Totallly worth it though in my opinion. We are shooting for the April timeframe for the first group of veterans. Feel free to call the local number for the program: 850 597 3419

In advance, thanks for considering any support you all can provide (even if it's pointing us in the right direction for other supporters, etc).

Chris

Scoop I just cut and pasted your parts of this thread over on FS. Hopefully that will help more people see this. When I read about the issues with the WWP I got a little aggravated and said I wished there was something local we could do. Turns out this program is just what I was hoping for. I'd be glad to take a couple of vets out on my boat next year for some inshore or close in fishing.
Thanks!

Good man Rhett

Thanks Rhett and everyone. Rhett, if you will give that number a call they can get you on the info distribution, etc. It's my father, so it's not some solicitor, etc.

At the recommendation of Yardman (who has graciously offered to take some vets too), I'm gonna cut/paste the above post as a new thread. That way we can keep a pretty good track of folks willing to help out, etc.

I spoke with my father this morning and he said they are going to try and fly in 4-6 vets near the end of April. They will most likely keep it closer to 4 since there is quite a bit of care, etc. associated with these heroes. Currently, they are planning on them staying at the Wakulla Springs Lodge, but that's an initial thought. If anyone knows of a big house on the water they could utilize free or at a good rate, please let them know. (please remember there will be caretakers as well, so the number could be 8-10). If you do, please reply on the new thread I'm gonna fire up here in a minute.
Thanks again,
Chris Russell

I posted it in FS but got 0 responses. Count me in anyway. I'll call the number next week. I'm working on getting the boat electronics working so I'll be safe out there. I have a degree and work with the blind and visually impaired so if any vets have that particular disability I'm the guy to put them with.