I am interested in doing some volunteer work for charities or possibly starting my own. I don’t have much to offer the community, but if there is something already out there involving fishing with kids or the disabled, I would like to try to be a part of it.
This past year I ran the Bridge Run in a chicken suit and raised $580 for The Charleston Miracle League, and that was a great feeling. I would like to do more.
I thought about helping coach a youth soccer team, but that hasn’t gone too far yet.
I would be interested in helping kids learn how to surf, since that is another passion of mine.
And last but not least, fishing. I just thought maybe some of the quality members on this site might know a thing or two about something of this matter.
I know there is a fishing day for kids with disabilities @ seewee that the East Cooper Fishing Club helps with. They also cook fish for meals on wheels every year. Check them out -
SeaBear, I had the privilege of mentoring a young guy many years ago when I lived here my first go-round (before I went off to finish my master’s degree). I got to know him when he was 12. I kept seeing him fishing at the same boat ramp at Lake Moultrie. After chatting with him, I found out that his father had been a catfish guide up on Moultrie, but died sometime around 1999. The boy had been fatherless for the past 3-4 years.
I got to know his mother and she let me take him fishing. I taught him a lot, and I learned a lot from him (he remembered a lot of his dad’s old rigs and tactics). We caught an ABSURD amount of catfish. Unfortunately those places and tactics don’t work anymore. I did my best to be the sort of influence that he needed, while I was finishing college here. I mentored him on an unofficial, informal basis for 3-4 years. He was in High School when I moved away. I came back to visit him, and some other friends, several times (including some fishing trips).
Unfortunately, around 4 years after I moved up to Raleigh to finish my master’s degree, I got the call from his mother that he had died that night after driving drunk and having a catastrophic wreck. It broke my heart, and it was the FIRST funeral I have ever preached at, and will probably always be the hardest (at least, I sure hope none are harder).
I am convinced that if someone had filled in where I had to leave off, I don’t think this would have happened. I still keep in touch with his mother, who is struggling, but my wife and I do what we can.
All this to say---- you don’t necessarily need an organization to make a difference. Find a young man who’s struggling, see if your personalities click, and mentor him. I keep encountering guys in my own field (cabinetry) who are trying to learn, but they are horribly irresponsible and addicted to the “entertainment culture” (constantly out club-hopping at night, building their DVD collection, pimping their car out, etc). They have so much talent but they keep losing their jobs for
Big Brothers/Sisters? YMCA? Youth Homes? We have Carolina Children’s Home and Epworth Children’s Home here in Cola. I am sure there are similar places down there. What you are doing is admirable.
“Apathy is the Glove in Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
I coached a soccer team about ten years ago. Coaching kids is fun and very rewarding. I only coached one year, however, because the parents were a nightmare to deal with. If we had had a soundproof box to lock all of the parents in during games, it would have been perfect, and I think I’d still be coaching today.
Semper Fi
18’ Sterling
115 Yamaha
Big Ugly Homemade Blue Push Pole
I only coached one year, however, because the parents were a nightmare to deal with. If we had had a soundproof box to lock all of the parents in during games, it would have been perfect, and I think I’d still be coaching today.
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Couldn’t agree more Hoof. I coached rec league baseball and football for a few years and had my fill. Loved being with the kids, but the parents are way too much of a handful to deal with. I do the scoreboard/clock at the high school for football and volleyball now and still catch a little ■■■■■ from the adults, but not as bad. I just ask them “think you could do better” and they back off.
Kudos to you Philip…I agree, getting involved is gratifying.
I coached a soccer team about ten years ago. Coaching kids is fun and very rewarding. I only coached one year, however, because the parents were a nightmare to deal with. If we had had a soundproof box to lock all of the parents in during games, it would have been perfect, and I think I’d still be coaching today.
Semper Fi
18’ Sterling
115 Yamaha
Big Ugly Homemade Blue Push Pole
I remember when I played community-league soccer (I was the fat kid playing ■■■■■■■■)… the most loudmouth of all the parents out there drove everyone nuts. His voice was loud enough to be heard over ALL the other parents, very very clearly. Then, to our horror, he became a coach. Then, to further my horror, he became a teacher at our high school. Fortunately he taught classes that were freshman classes, and I was a junior.
One of two things would have solved our problem; either that sound proof booth you talk about, or perhaps a large bucket of KFC. Either way it woulda hushed him up good.
“Sire, it belongs in truth to the Church of God, in whose name I speak, to endure blows and not to inflict them. But it will also please your Majesty to remember that she is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.”…Theodore Beza
Thanks for all of the support and for the words of encouragement. I am very sad to hear that story, Matt. But it does shed some light on the demands for positive guidance, for those who need a great deal of it. I would like to help the younger crowd in some way. I would also like to avoid the obnoxious parents.
I’m going to go ahead and start doing a little more research on some way to help those kids. Maybe the church down the street from me can help me get connected.
Thanks for all of the support and for the words of encouragement. I am very sad to hear that story, Matt. But it does shed some light on the demands for positive guidance, for those who need a great deal of it. I would like to help the younger crowd in some way. I would also like to avoid the obnoxious parents.
I’m going to go ahead and start doing a little more research on some way to help those kids. Maybe the church down the street from me can help me get connected.
I think the biggest thing would be to look around your immediate sphere of influence. As a Christian, I believe in “blooming where you are planted” to some degree. Most churches are going to want to place someone who has a known, godly spiritual character to work with youth, and typically that means that the person is a member of their church who is known to be above reproach. In other words, if you don’t find the church to be much help (esp. if you aren’t a member), then they may just be circling the wagons for security’s sake.
Right now, there are several young men (20’s and older) that I’ve offered to spend some time with-- fishing or whatever. For now they are more interested their goofing off and party time, but if life bites them hard, I suspect I know who’s getting the call. Scatter some seeds, you won’t know until something sprouts. Do the same with their parents. I’ve noticed that the teens who are in most dire need of help and responsible guidance have parents who likewise need someone level-headed to help them out.
The main thing a person needs, if they want to be a positive influence on someone, is patience, and a willingness just to “hang out” with them. They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
Do get parental permission if they are under 18 before yo
Not sure if you’re in Mt. Pleasant area but St. Andrews Church in village has many community outreach opportunities along your interests. Fishing for Mission inshore tourn., surf church, etc. I have taken kids that don’t have any fishing options, some that haven’t caught a fish before and it is very fun and rewarding. Have fun!
I work at the Ralph Johnson. V.a. Here in Charleston . I work on a floor that is home for 20 residents who are long term care or hospice. This is their home. Yep…they love there. All are 100% disabled veterans. They can be 100%. Due to one injury or a combination of injuries or health reasons. We have a program called “Watchful Eagles” where you are their friend and come by and visit with them. You know…drop by…spend a little time talking…may e bring them coffee, and such…push them outside in their wheelchairs or play cards,dominoes, watch t.v. Basically just spend time with them letting them know someone cares enough to do so. If you can’t commit to regular visits…you can also come by and meet some of them…maybe drop some donuts by evey now and then. We have some real interesting characters there it is a honor to care and serve these men(and one woman) who have done and given so much for our country.
SeaBear, as mentioned above, I’d suggest you check into the Big Brother program. There’s lots of kids out there without a father figure in their life and single mom’s that are looking to match their sons up with someone they can spend some time with. I am no longer officially in the program since my “little brother” turned 18 last year, but we were matched up since he was 8, so I am pretty familiar with the whole thing.
If you decide to look into it, feel free to send me a PM if you have any questions.
You could always consider signing up for an instructor class with the SCDNR. The class certifies you as a SCDNR “Family Fishing Instructor”. After passing the class and a background check, they furnish basically everything you will need to teach except for live bait and a location. I’m on lake Murray and several of the local landings usually will cooperate with the instructors. The classes are small, so you will get a chance to interact with the kids and parents. DNR furnishes props, fishing rods and reels, corks, hooks, etc.These are to be returned after each class. The classes are very structured and include the basics for assembling rods and reels, live bait fishing and saftey, for families that want to expose their kids to fishing.
I was asked to participate at a family fun day this past spring put on by three different churches. There were several themes of outdoor interest at this event including fishing. We had three people teaching fishing, but couldn’t do the normal DNR format due to the tremendous turnout. The directors had to split up the folks into 8 classes and they rotated a new class to us every 45 minutes. The normal DNR classes are much more informative than we could cover in the time allotted. Still each kid, even the very young ones, got to try out casting a fishing rod and some learned the technique very quickly. It was good to see so many parents willing to expose their kids to fishing. I only wish we could have done the complete DNR program. If you’re interested check into the instructor class on the SCDNR website. I think it’s a good way to share my love of fishing with others. One thing I’ve noticed… it’s hard for kids to get into mischief if their parents stay involved.
it is a honor to care and serve these men(and one woman) who have done and given so much for our country.