Many of you know…but some dont …that I work on a 20 bed unit at our local veterans hospital here in Charleston…
The unit is a long term care unit called Patriots Harbor/CLC and is for veterans who are Hospice… or long term care and no longer able to care for themselves needing around the clock medical assistance for many reasons.some have multiple disabilities
They range in ages from 57 …to 96…yes…96:smiley:
We have a few that with help are able to go on outings using our staff and wheelchair bus… and it gives them a sense of “doing” again. One of the things we do with them is that we take them fishing usually from the Mt pleasant pier undr the Ravenel bridge which is nicely set up for wheelchairs…or the james island county park one where they can crab and fish. Its a great way to ge them out and even when they catch nothing…they have a great time just being out there.
Just wanted to mention that If any of you are cleaning out your garages or getting new tackle and have any old rods and reels/drop nets etc…we could really use a few. nothing fancy or expensive…nothing too big and heavy…and they cant use open faces as most have difficuly casting and reeling without assistance…and so do some of the nurses who go with them to assist in fishing:smiley:.
We have volunteer retired military guys who usually go with them…and bring their own tackle for them to use…but I told the director of activities Id check here for her so they wouldnt have to do that and worry about their own equipment.
I could provide a letter of donation if anyone can help out. we dont need but a few. Thanks so much! penn:smiley:
Penny, let me look at what I have. I may have 3-4 rod/reel combos I can get rid of. Also is there a way I could get involved in this program? I will let you know what I have.
thanks guys! Ok…heres the strange part in this. They dont like us to “solicite” or ask for monetary donations…but you can donate “stuff” Kinda shocked me when I heard this…I mean these are “our military folks”…why cant we give to them for all they have done for us?? Thats why I thought I might go about it this way. I have some more friends who have also fixed dinners, ordered pizza, sweets on the holidays type things for them. There are folks out there who want to help…but most dont even know of situations like this where we can help our folks right here at home…and being such a small group…its easy. I sometimes hit the dollar menu or pizza on my way to work for them…of course I have to follow their diet quidelines .
We usually have 5-6 guys who fish…and a couple more who tag along just to get out or watch. Anyone interested in volunteering to help on one of these days can call 789-6630 and ask for Cindy…shes the recreation director. Say if you wanted to drop by and drop off some chicken or pizza…or had the time to help them fish…they would love it!!!. You could also maybe buy something with someone and drop it by. Like I said…nothing expensive as if it got stolen by a fish…the big fish story following it would not include losing a nice rod too.
funny story…Mom and daddy dropped by once while we were fishing. I told three of the guys that when they met my parents to keep a straight face and say…“you have such a wonderful daughter” First guy they(mom and dad) grinned…second guy they smiled and looked over at me, as I was trying to keep straight face beside guy one…third guy we all burst out laughing.
Sunscreen and hats are something else they could use for these outings… These folks are all alert and oriented…just need a little help. I am going to start freezing some bait for them to use. When I hear they are going I’ll take some to work with me for their use. I m going to look through my stuff too.Any further questions just let me know thanks again
quote:thanks guys! Ok...heres the strange part in this. They dont like us to "solicite" or ask for monetary donations....but you can donate "stuff"
OK, so you didn’t “solicit”, and I’m 100 miles away, and I volunteered, and the “stuff” will fit in an envelope instead of a shipping crate Please send address:smiley:
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
ok…will pm you…and please make sure yours is on there so Cindy can send you a letter of receipt. Thank you for your kindness. If you are ever here let me know. would love for you to meet some of my guys.
I do have one combo that I want to donate. Nothing special but Iits new and 'm sure if it catches a fish it will put a smile on the face on a fellow veteran.
Also, I’d like to offer my services in keeping your gear in working order. I like to tune, clean and repair tackle in my spare time. Please PM me!
All Day I Dream About Fishing
Malibu eXtreme
Key West 1720
I’m surprised there hasn’t been more response to this. Hopefully there has been in PMs. Those Vets gave it all for us, we should be able to keep 20 of them fishing. We all spend $100 a day or more to fish. Skip a day. Just saying
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
penny i’m in the Bahamas right now.i’ll be home sunday.i should have some combos.i also have some that will fit in an envelope…what are the dates this will be happening?
What exactly are you looking for in a combo. I have light action Zebco 33 rod and reel combo, I have larger salt water spinner rod and reel combos and I have trolling/bottom fishing rod and reels… If these want work, I have a bunch stored at Wal-Mart I can get my hands on and donate. Or like others, I can donate some Andrew Jackson combos which can be traded for the combos you need. I am also willing to donate my time. I say donate but I expect spending time with these gentleman will produce stories of yesteryear you couldn’t get in a history book… Let me know how I can help!!
Key West 19’6" CC 115hp Merc
14’ Fast Craft w/ 60hp Merc
Thanks so much! As I was looking for just a few. Usually 5 -6 guys…sometimes staff try to fish with them which in itself is quite entertaining to the guys ;). Just think what you would use with a family member on the mt pleasant pier. A medium action Probablly… Nothing too big or heavy because some have problems reeling and holding them for long times…but able to reel in a trout, bass or sheep with a little help. Doesn’t have to be new or fancy…just something for them to use of their own. Cindy might even decide to let them pick what’s most comfortable for them to use and put their names on them. Only other thing they would use is corks,weights,hooks and leaders…maybe a couple drop nets for crabbing and to pull a fish up if needed, they are on meds that cause sun sensitivity,that’s why I mentioned the hats . There is need for volunteers. I will see if I can post a schedule of outside activities for those who might be able to help. They do go to some ball games and out to lunch…they do the heroes on horseback s in the spring…and have gone to the aquarium. I
We are in the 4th floor at the v.a. Downtown. I will tell you that parking is a bear in the daytime…but better in the late evenings or at night. Anyone wanting to help can pm me or drop by the hospital. Get off the elevator and we are on one end…patriots harbor/clc… Unit . Has wrought iron doors on each side of entry doors. I work 730 pm till 8 am most weekdays…ESP first of the week. Would love to show y’all around and introduce you to my guys if you ever want to stop by. Cindy,s name and number are both posted on here also. She is our activity director/organizer for the guys, I could also meet someone somewhere if needed. I live on James island . , thanks so much for. The responses. I promise you it will be very appreciated. Pm me of I need to meet anyone… Thanks. Penn
Hmm I have a few rod’s I can kick in, and at least 1 good combo. I’m assuming you could use some tackle too so I can also kick in some weights/hooks and a roll or 2 of leader line. Heck for Veterans I’ll go buy em some brand new tackle and combo’s…
My 7 year old loves veterans and soldiers, so I can always bring him and take them fishing - of course he might love that, but they might hate that! lol.
PM me where I can drop stuff off and what else you might need.
I just realized you said they cannot use open face reels… That’s all I have (Typical spinning reel is open face right?) I have some rod’s that can be used as blanks and I can pick up a couple zebco’s if that’s what they need… Just let me know.
No…by open face I mean the kind. Fresh water bass fishermen use. Ok…so I talked to Cindy today. She said 7 or eight is all she needs and has room for. She was very touched by the outpouring of offers. …and also said if anyone ever wants to tag along…let her know. I will post kohen they have outings. You don’t necessarily have to commit…just be ther if you want to. Thank y’all so much for offers to help.
Hmm I have a few rod’s I can kick in, and at least 1 good combo. I’m assuming you could use some tackle too so I can also kick in some weights/hooks and a roll or 2 of leader line. Heck for Veterans I’ll go buy em some brand new tackle and combo’s…
My 7 year old loves veterans and soldiers, so I can always bring him and take them fishing - of course he might love that, but they might hate that! lol.
PM me where I can drop stuff off and what else you might need.
A wonderful idea to bring your children. Our guys always get a kick out of kids too. And the tackle would be great.mostly big corks…maybe. Those three to a pack weighted adjustable types that clip on, come hooks split shot.
Their outings are usually on Monday or Wednesdays…early morning…back here by lunch though…unless they stop for lunch or eat lunch on the pier
Penfishin I would be glad to donate some things I will be a lil crazy for the next couple weekends ,next one off I will put together some Rods and Reels and a lil tackle and have it ready. I understand not wanting to have to much at one time.
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