NEWS & STORIES
Free Fly Fishing Program for Disabled Veterans starts in Traverse City, Michigan
For Immediate Release Contact
Dave Jankowski – Traverse City, MI Program Lead
dave.jankowski@projecthealingwaters.org
March 3, 2020, Traverse City, Michigan – We are pleased to announce the launch of a new Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc (PHWFF) program in Traverse City, Michigan. Established in February, 2020 this dynamic new program will serve to provide physical and emotional recovery and rehabilitation to the areas disabled veterans and disabled active duty military service members.
The PHWFF program provides on-going basic fly fishing, fly casting, fly tying, rod building classes and outings at no cost for disabled veterans.
“The program promotes healing through the outdoor activity of fly fishing, and the hands-on crafts of fly tying and rod building” says Traverse City Program Lead Dave Jankowski, “I wanted to help start a local program here in Traverse City and now is a great time to get involved as either a participant, volunteer, or supporter!”
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities including education and outings. PHWFF has over 230 highly successful, volunteer-run programs in Department of Defense hospitals, Warrior Transition Units, and Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and clinics across the United States.
The Traverse City, MI Program meets twice a month: the first Saturday at noon and the third Tuesday at 6 pm at the Reigning Liberty Ranch, at 4656 Silver Pines Rd, Traverse City. The program will host their first outing on June 6th at a local lake, with monthly outings to be scheduled thereafter. The program is supported by the Adams Chapter of Trout Unlimited who provide volunteer mentors and expert fly fishing knowledge and skills for the programs disabled veteran participants.
“Recovery takes place in more areas than just 4 walls in a clinic and our natural resources have proven to provide excellent experiential recovery,” says Assistant Program Lead Jeffrey Ehrhart, “Why should veterans participate or individuals volunteer or support? Because I believe that 22 veteran suicides per day is 22 too many. YOU are worth the effort. Join us.”
Interested volunteers and veteran participants should contact PHWFF Traverse City, MI Program Lead Dave Jankowski at dave.jankowski@projecthealingwaters.org