The Holidays are officially here! We have put together a small list of non-profits whose main missions are to get people on the water. We are fortunate enough to have a few local non-profits and national non-profits that support individuals in Central Oregon. Whether it is veterans or foster children, there are a lot of folks out there who can benefit from time spent on the water.
Warfighter Outfitters-
From our own backyard! Right out of Sisters, we have Warfighter Outfitters. Taking Veterans on guided fishing and hunting trips at no cost to the Veteran. Read more about Warfighter Outfitters below.
In three major aspects Warfighter Outfitters provides absolutely free outings and excursions to disabled veterans of any conflict and campaign on Hunting, Fishing, and Engagement opportunities. Trips can be as many as 30 Veterans at once in our engagement trips working in service projects in our national parks to simple 2-3 Veteran sized groups in small fishing day trips. Warfighter Outfitters has no physical office or paid employees and is 100% volunteer based. We feel this gets more funding to getting crucial engagement trips for Veterans that need dire support in their transitional phase to find their “New Normal” of daily life.
Mayfly Project-
The Mayfly Project is an awesome non-profit that has started over the last few years. We are happy to have a chapter locally, even having some of our employees involved as mentors. This non-profit focuses on getting foster children on the water. Read more below.
The Mayfly Project’s standard program is to mentor a foster child through five sessions we call “stages”, just like the life cycle of a Mayfly. Within these stages, the children learn line management, casting techniques, knot tying, some etymology, river safety, mending tactics, hook setting, catch and release tactics, and the value of conservation. At the end of the five stages the child is given his or her very own fly rod, reel, pack, fly box, flies, tippet, indicators, etc. Our hope is for the child to continue to pursue fly fishing and to have a tool to access the outdoors. Each project is unique and may contain more or less stages, but the goal is to provide a well-rounded and safe fly fishing experience for children in foster care.
Casting for Recovery-
While we do not have a local chapter, there are a few across Oregon and there are events that do occur in Central Oregon. Casting for Recovery takes care of women battling cancer by getting them on the water. Casting for Recovery (CfR) provides healing outdoor retreats for women with breast cancer, at no cost to the participants. CfR’s retreats offer opportunities for women to find inspiration, discover renewed energy for life, and experience healing connections with other women and nature. The retreats are open to women with breast cancer of all ages, in all stages of treatment and recovery. For over 20 years, women from all walks of life have benefitted from CfR’s inspiring program model.
Paradise Fires-
While this has nothing to do with getting folks on the water, the tragedies in California have triggered an exceptional response around the country.
The Salvation Army has deployed Emergency Disaster Service teams to multiple locations in and around Butte County. Our teams are providing three meals a day, snacks, drinks, essential items and emotional and spiritual care to evacuees and first responders.
For as long as necessary, we will be providing relief and assistance to those affected. 100% of your gift goes toward our disaster relief efforts.