Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Future Fisherman Foundation Could Use Your Help

I got an email yesterday that promised "A Gift That Can Give a Lifetime of E...." that was sent with high priority. My SPAM sensors were working overtime, and I went to delete it. It must have been fate, but I accidentally opened it instead. Rather than the usual offers for better living through chemistry (or whatever) it turned out to be from the Future Fisherman Foundation, looking for help.

If you aren't familiar with them, The Future Fisherman Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that has been promoting, supporting and delivering angler education programs for over 20 years. Whether it is helping schools create an angler education program through grants and guidance, or the "Hooked on Fishing - Not On Drugs" program that has reached over a million kids, this organization is hard at work helping kids develop a healthy interest in fishing, the outdoors and conservation. Visit their web site at http://www.futurefisherman.org/ to see how you can help. (I've included the complete email below.)

Hapy Holidays,
Loren




Do you remember who taught you to fish?
For over 20 years, the Future Fisherman Foundation, a 501(c) 3 charitable organization, has delivered school and community based aquatic education. Our programs have demonstrated that fishing is a wonderful way to lure young people outside to reconnect with nature.
We believe that fishing is an ideal way to entice children away from indoor screen time to outdoor green time! While learning about the aquatic environment, children develop an appreciation for our fragile aquatic resources. Fishing provides hands on experiences in the sciences that foster a love of the outdoors that can last a lifetime. It is our mission to provide programs that help develop the next generation of conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts.

How do we invest in the future?

  • In the last six years, our Physh Ed grant program has provided funds to over 300 K-12 schools across the country for angler education programs. There are over 90,000 Physh Ed Student graduates with over 85% of the programs continuing past their initial grant year. Over half of the schools have reported that their programs have expanded to other schools in their districts increasing the youth involved each year. The Future Fisherman Foundation needs support to ensure that this program can continue to reach school children in the next year.
  • Since 2006, The Boys & Girls Clubs of America began implementing our afterschool fishing program in 30 clubs across the nation. Youth in these clubs learned angling basics from club professionals and local police officers partnering to provide positive mentoring for these new anglers. We provided the instructor training, resources and support on the national level. Funds for this program were cut entirely for FY2010-we need your support to continue reaching youth in clubs across the country.
  • Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs-is a nationally recognized angling education and youth mentoring program providing instructor training, best practices curriculum, and national networking. H.O.F.N.O.D. has reached over one million youth across the country over the last twenty years! Additional funding is needed to continue updating this successful educational resource and provide national guidance to the participating instructors.

Join our Mission-ensure the Future of Fishing!
Please help us continue reaching more youth across the country by making your tax deductable donation to the Future Fisherman Foundation. You will be added to our Good News Donor List and updated quarterly to see how your gift is helping us activate young anglers. Your donation will help us educate the youth of today, so that they may become the stewards of tomorrow. Donations can be made online at: http://www.futurefisherman.org/ or mailed to the address below. Thank you for helping to ensure the Future of Fishing!


Teresa Rodriguez
Manager of Education
Future Fisherman Foundation
225 Reinekers Lane Suite 420
Alexandria, VA 22314
703.519.9691 ext. 224
Fax: 703.519.1872
http://www.futurefisherman.org/

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