Donating Gear

[papajoe222]

It's that time of year again when I go through my collection of unused and new gear to donate to my favorite fishing related charity: http://www.fishingoutreachprogram.com/Home.html

Last year, I posted a similar thread around this time and the guys and gals here picked up the ball and helped out immensly. On behalf of Joe and the outreach program, THANK YOU

This year I plan on going one step further and contacting my local VFW. I plan to post an invitation to their membership to take any of those brave men and women fishing as my way of saying thank you.  I know that many of you would like to do the same, but are unable because of time restraints. For those of you that can, could you make an effort to take a vet fishing?  It's a great way to say thank you, or just hook up with a possible new friend.

[Fishes in trees]

Charity is always a good idea and something we all should be doing more of - probably.  I've given away fishing tackle in the past to "under privileged" individuals, and while there was an initial appreciation, months later you would see the gear gathering dust/poorly maintained/broke.  And that's ok I guess, next summer there will be some other fishing event and some other guy will give them some new/lightly used gear.  And the cycle continues.  I wonder if that person had spend their own money for the gear if the dust/poor maintenance/breakage issues would occur.  It is easy to assign a diminished value to something you got for free.  Just some of my thoughts on giving away free gear.

 

 The last 3 falls, I've taken a weeks vacation and done the Fishing for Freedom project at Truman Lake.  That is a very well organized project put on by the Leavenworth Bass Club, Long Shoal Marina and a bunch of sponsors.  Time well spent and I had some fun to boot.

 

That being said, for me, fishing is a necessary mental health break from the "real world."  It is a time when &  where I can examine recent past events and ponder near future events, by myself, uninterrupted, for the most part.  

 

This being said, when I am in the midst of these ponderings, I am not always the most pleasant guy to be around.  That is another reason why I fish by myself often, not all the time, but often.  I am doing the rest of the world a favor by isolating myself for a time.

 

Thanks for taking the time to read this post.

[papajoe222]

Chances are good that most or all of the gear that I've given away is gathering dust or has been discarded. That's what I feel, is unique about this outreach program vs. just donating to a charity.  It's also why I plan on actively taking an interested vet out fishing for a day.  First off, they are showing interest and persuing it rather than being part of a group that 'benifits' from contributions of one form or another.  Second being, I have the time aside from my own fishing activities, to do so.  Third, being a vet myself, I know some of the sacrifices these people have made and continue to make long after their service time has ended.  It's the best way I know of to say thank you.  Aside from all of that, it just plain feels good.

[tbone1993]

Chances are good that most or all of the gear that I've given away is gathering dust or has been discarded. That's what I feel, is unique about this outreach program vs. just donating to a charity.  It's also why I plan on actively taking an interested vet out fishing for a day.  First off, they are showing interest and persuing it rather than being part of a group that 'benifits' from contributions of one form or another.  Second being, I have the time aside from my own fishing activities, to do so.  Third, being a vet myself, I know some of the sacrifices these people have made and continue to make long after their service time has ended.  It's the best way I know of to say thank you.  Aside from all of that, it just plain feels good.

Give your stuff to High School or even collegiate anglers they'll use it for sure.