Veteran’s Outreach Mission
“Take a Vet Fishing”
“A blind person fishing? Are you crazy? I had been telling my 13 year old
'Dad can’t do that.'
I was wrong.
I caught no fish but I caught a little more of my manhood sitting at the foot of that cross.”
Bill Cray
The Veterans Outreach Mission is to provide Christian outreach and fellowship to Veterans in the New Haven area, Additionally we offer friendship and comfort to the Vets and their staff through relaxing activities that take them out of the clinical environment,
"Come, follow me" Jesus said "and I will make you fishers of men" - Matthew 4:19
In 2009 First Congregational Church of Branford's Veterans Outreach Mission entered its third year of service. After three successful outings during our startup season in 2007, we more than tripled our fishing program with eleven outings and eight additional activities, which included trips to attend baseball games with the CT Defenders, Yale football and a trip to the Yale Art Museum. We were able to provide 222 vets with a day of fishing. This included vets from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
We now have two additional groups providing help. They are Trout Unlimited and C.A.R.E. (CT Aquatic Resources Education). Thanks to the generosity of Mr. Thomas Romano of Orchard House, buses are provided to those vets who need transportation.
From a mission standpoint, there are many beneficiaries. Most important are the veterans. Also receiving benefit from this outreach activity are our church members. The Veteran's Administration staff members have been very supportive and have benefitted themselves. Members of groups like Trout Unlimited, CARE instructors from around the state and non-church members in the community have joined our efforts, wanting to participate in this outreach.
Here are some vets from the Eastern Blind Rehabilitation Center working on fly tying, a new program introduced in 2009.
In addition to fishing we provide transportation to our Sunday worship. Ninety nine Veterans were provide rides from the CT VA in West Haven to join us on Sunday. We now work with five different units within the VA. They include the Eastern Blind Rehabilitation Center, the Next Step Program, the Errera Center, the Brownell House, and we now have vets from the Newington VA joining us.
“You took the group out of a parochial institution and into the freedom of a fishing event!
For one of us who had never in his life, to this point, never been fishing,
to another who could not reel in his numerous catches,
to the wonderful taste of home baked cookies,
to conversations and laughter..
For all this and more I Thank You.”
Charles C Castro Major USAF Retired
Take a Vet Fishing 2010
With the arrival of warm weather also comes our "Take a Vet Fishing" program for 2010. In 2009 we were able to take 222 veterans out of the hospital for a relaxing day of fishing. The vets are already talking about this year. Saturday May 8th is our first outing at DEER LAKE Scout Camp. Help is always welcomed and needed.
July 24, Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Fishing Killam’s Point
August 7, Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Fishing Killam’s Point
September 11, Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Fishing Killam’s Point
September 25, Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Fishing Killam’s Point
October 9, Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Fishing Killam’s Point
Wish List for Take a Vet Fishing
The Veteran’s Outreach Mission and its’ "Take a Vet Fishing" program is heading into its fourth season. The money we raise goes to the program. We have some items that will help to make the fishing experience for the vets more enjoyable and safer. If you have wanted to help and do not have the time this might be a good opportunity for you. There are some items available from Cabela's that we need. You may order them on line or donate the funds, gift cards also are an option. The prices of the items start at $44.99, you can get one or more items. Please go to www.cabelas.com or they have a store in East Hartford. Thank you
Needed
2 10 X 10 Canopy
IA-518180
$249.99
shade for vets
8 large folding chairs
UK-51-7648
$54.99
stable chair w/attached table
12 folding chairs
UK-51-7755
$44.99
stable chair w/attached table
1 62 qt wheeled cooler
JJ-51-7234
$54.99
soft drink cooler
Here’s a recent article about the program from the New Haven Independent.
Read about this program in the UCC Newsletter
Read about a fly-tying session from Shore Publishing
Questions? Contact:
Jeff Buggee 203-488 – 5240 Cell 203-415 – 6322 E – mail j.buggee@sbcglobal.net
First Congregational Church 488 - 7201