July 18 Vancouver area event

Hi People,

I know it's the weekend after ORC, but the Veterans at the Vancouver VA Residential Treatment Program want to go kayak fishing. I haven't locked in a event site yet, but I wanted to see if anyone has anything left in the WAF account for July 18th?

We took this group out last year and it was awesome. Their activities are usually movies, bowling, etc. So when we get them out they have a major blast.

Basically they have to be homeless or have no other avenues to help with their substance abuse before they are accepted into this program. Come on out if you can.

Volunteers do not need to obtain WA licenses. The WA VA has a group permit.

Thanks!

Should be able to be there but got to check with the boss first. What help/ food do you need? Vancouver WA right? LOL

Yes, Vancouver, WA. I don't have a start time yet either. Last year their van driver couldn't get the rig out of the motor pool before 9:00.

We just need volunteers to make sure the folks stay safe on the water and keep them rigged up and fishing.

We'll do something simple for lunch, probably a build your own sandwich deal, then people can have the option to eat on the water and fish through lunch if they want to.

I'm in. So is my wife Karen and my retriever Molly.

So 9 AM on Saturday? Need help setting up?

Sorry I have been quiet on this. Their activities coordinator has been out on Vacation, although he said he would have access to email, I haven't gotten a reply. He'll be back in tomorrow.

I was kind of thinking (and he seemed to think he could get transportation to cooperate) more along the lines of VOLUNTEERS @ 07:30 and have their group get there at 08:30. WeatherBug app has it cracking 90 degrees around noon. I don't see us lasting much longer than lunch time. These folks are healing up so we need to keep that in mind.

I neglected to mention the State of Washington issues a group permit to the VA, so if you already don't have a Washington license DO NOT BUY ONE for this event. You are all good as a participant or volunteer.

It would sure make life easier if Oregon had a similar program

I'll see you at 7:30 unless you need help transporting gear.

Thanks Sherman! I think we have the hauling covered.

I neglected to mention the State of Washington issues a group permit to the VA, so if you already don't have a Washington license DO NOT BUY ONE for this event. You are all good as a participant or volunteer.

It would sure make life easier if Oregon had a similar program

You should write your local constituent.  Politicians love to have their name on a bill, and I bet a bill like that would pass with no problem, providing no pork was attached.

We received confirmation. The Vancouver VA group will be arriving at 08:30.

We should have 10-12 participants.

Come on out and help a Veteran smash some pan fish. We could use another volunteer or two.

Normally we do coffee in the AM. Not tomorrow. We want to see the participants hydrated. If you need your morning coffee you better stop at 7-11.

Well yesterday's event kind of fell apart. :-(

We had 14 signed up at one point, but most of them bugged out due to the heat. We had 4 hearty souls show up.

Thanks to Great Bass and our Veteran volunteer Derrick for coming out and showing them a great time despite the sweltering conditions.

One of the guys that turned out was a good friend of Derrick's and they fought together in the same unit! Small world. It was pretty cool to see that reunion. What HOW is all about.

Excellent, great job! It doesn't have to be a big group to have a meaningful impact.