Veteran’s Day is an opportunity to honor the service and sacrifice of our military veterans. One unique and meaningful way to show support is by backing organizations that connect veterans with the therapeutic benefits of boating and fishing. Whether it’s helping veterans cope with PTSD, providing a sense of community, or simply offering a peaceful escape from daily stress, these charities make a significant impact. Here are five boating and fishing organizations you can support this Veteran’s Day.
1. Freedom Waters Foundation
Mission: Freedom Waters Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of veterans, children, and those with special needs through therapeutic boating and fishing activities. For veterans, the foundation offers the “Veterans Boat Outings Program,” providing recreational, relaxing, and often healing experiences on the water.
How They Help Veterans: Veterans often face physical, emotional, and psychological challenges after their service. Through free boat outings, Freedom Waters Foundation helps veterans relax and reconnect with nature. This therapy, while fun and engaging, also provides camaraderie, something many veterans miss after leaving active duty.
How to Support: You can donate directly through their website or participate in their fundraisers. For boaters, there’s also an option to volunteer by offering your vessel for outings.
Donation Range: Donations are accepted at all levels, from $25 for small contributions to larger donations for corporate sponsorships.
Website: Freedom Waters Foundation
2. Heroes on the Water
Mission: Heroes on the Water helps veterans, first responders, and their families decompress and rehabilitate through kayak fishing and the outdoors. By providing a peaceful environment, they aim to improve mental and physical health.
How They Help Veterans: Kayak fishing is the key therapeutic tool used by Heroes on the Water. Veterans are able to unplug and enjoy the calm of the water, while also engaging in physical activity. This combination of nature and therapy has shown to reduce PTSD symptoms and improve overall well-being.
How to Support: Heroes on the Water accepts donations directly on their site. You can also get involved by volunteering, fundraising, or sponsoring a specific event in your local chapter.
Donation Range: From as little as $10 to larger corporate sponsorships, all contributions help run local chapters and events.
Website: Heroes on the Water
3. Fishing for Freedom
Mission: Fishing for Freedom connects veterans and active-duty military personnel with professional and recreational anglers to experience the therapeutic benefits of fishing. Their mission is to help veterans transition back to civilian life by fostering connections through sport fishing.
How They Help Veterans: Every year, Fishing for Freedom hosts large-scale fishing tournaments, pairing veterans with anglers and offering them a day on the water. Beyond the event, they provide ongoing community support through various chapters across the U.S.
How to Support: Donations can be made on their website, and you can also get involved by volunteering at their annual fishing tournaments. If you’re an angler, you can sign up to participate in their events, offering veterans a day on the water.
Donation Range: The minimum suggested donation starts at $50, but higher levels of sponsorship offer event-specific benefits like being featured as an official sponsor.
Website: Fishing for Freedom
4. Operation Healing Forces
Mission: Operation Healing Forces (OHF) provides therapeutic retreats for active-duty and retired veterans of U.S. Special Operations Forces. These retreats, which often include boating and fishing activities, are designed to help veterans and their spouses reconnect and heal from the emotional scars of war.
How They Help Veterans: Veterans and their spouses attend multi-day retreats where boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities are combined with emotional and psychological support. These retreats help veterans and their families reconnect in a tranquil, supportive environment, away from the stresses of everyday life.
How to Support: Donations can be made directly, or you can sponsor a retreat for a veteran. Corporate sponsorships are also available for companies looking to make a larger impact.
Donation Range: Individual donations start at $25, while sponsorship for a full retreat can go up to $25,000 depending on the size and duration of the program.
Website: Operation Healing Forces
5. Take a Vet Fishing
Mission: Take a Vet Fishing (TAVF) provides veterans with outdoor fishing experiences designed to foster relaxation and improve mental well-being. The charity hosts events across the U.S., giving veterans the chance to enjoy a stress-free day on the water with expert anglers.
How They Help Veterans: TAVF’s fishing events are focused on creating a welcoming and supportive environment where veterans can connect with others who understand their experiences. These events are not just about fishing—they are about building friendships, sharing stories, and providing veterans with a much-needed mental break.
How to Support: Take a Vet Fishing relies on donations, volunteer support, and corporate sponsorships. Donating funds or signing up to host a veteran on your boat are two meaningful ways to get involved.
Donation Range: Individual donations start at $50, with various sponsorship tiers available for larger donations.
Website: Take a Vet Fishing
Why Support Veteran-Focused Boating & Fishing Charities?
Veterans face unique challenges upon returning home, from PTSD to physical injuries and social isolation. Boating and fishing have been proven to offer therapeutic benefits, helping veterans relax, build community, and improve their mental health. Many of the charities mentioned above operate on donations, which means your support directly impacts the lives of those who served.
By contributing to one of these five veteran-focused charities this Veteran’s Day, you can help bring the calming, healing power of the water to those who have given so much for our country. Whether it’s donating funds, volunteering your time, or offering your boat, every bit helps these organizations continue their vital work.
Conclusion
Veterans deserve our continued support and gratitude, not just on Veteran’s Day but throughout the year. These five boating and fishing charities are making a tangible difference in veterans’ lives by providing them with therapeutic outdoor experiences. Whether you’re a boater, an angler, or simply someone who wants to give back, these organizations offer a perfect avenue to support veterans in need. Make this Veteran’s Day even more meaningful by donating to one of these charities and helping to improve the lives of those who have served our country.
Happy Boating!
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Read 7 Most Haunted Places in America to Go Boating until we meet in the next article.