Take-A-Vet Fishing Connects More Veterans to the Outdoors with Winnebago Industries
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minnesota – July 7, 2021 –Winnebago Industries and the Winnebago Industries Foundation are pleased to announce their support of Take-A-Vet fishing in 2021. The nonprofit organization has taken over 2,000 US Military Veterans outdoors for a day fishing on the water and more than 400 different fishing guides have donated their time and boats to make our heroes feel welcome.
“Our company enables extraordinary mobile experiences as we travel, live, work and play. ‘Extraordinary’ sums up a day on the water with Take-a-Vet Fishing and our country’s finest,” said Rich Honsey, Winnebago RVs general manager and Take-a-Vet fishing volunteer.
In 2021, Take-A-Vet fishing is scheduled to take over 400 veterans fishing, weather permitting. Many caring volunteers give their time to thank the veterans for their service and have fun while doing so. It is just a simple way to give back to the people that have fought endlessly for our great country.
“It’s a day of giving back, our way of showing that we care deeply about our nations vets and what they’ve sacrificed for our continued Freedom” said Jay Garstecki, President and Co-Founder of Take A Vet Fishing and President, Operation Outdoor Freedom Foundation.
Fishing is well known as a relaxing past time, and many veterans are reaping the effects of that. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and general anxiety disorder (GAD) can be alleviated by winding down and casting a line into the water to fish.
“Veterans and their families give selflessly to our country. At Winnebago Industries, we gratefully recognize the service of veterans we employ and all veterans,” said Steve Heese, Chris-Craft President and Winnebago Industries Foundation board member. “We are proud to support Take-a-Vet Fishing in connecting American heroes with the outdoors, friends and fishing.”
The 2021 Take A Vet Fishing Event Schedule includes a total of eight different events in four Midwest states. To learn more, please visit: http://takeavetfishing.org/
About Winnebago Industries
Winnebago Industries, Inc. is a leading North American manufacturer of outdoor lifestyle products and commercial vehicles under the Winnebago, Grand Design, Chris-Craft and Newmar brands, which are used primarily in leisure travel and outdoor recreation activities. The company builds quality motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth-wheel products, boats, and commercial community outreach vehicles. Winnebago Industries has multiple facilities in Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, and Florida. The Company's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and traded under the symbol WGO. For access to Winnebago Industries' investor relations material or to add your name to an automatic email list for Company news releases, visit http://investor.wgo.net.
About Take A Vet Fishing and Operation Outdoor Freedom Foundation
Take a Vet Fishing (TAVF) was established in 2011 to provide active and reserve military service members and Veterans emotional support and rehabilitation by way of fishing and connecting with the outdoors. The slogan, “A Day of Giving Back” is the core of Take a Vet Fishing’s mission and serves as a day of giving back to our nation’s heroes. Approximately twenty percent of the 2.3 million veterans returning from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) and/or depression. Most of them will struggle to ask for assistance. Take a Vet Fishing is a Not-For-Profit 501 (c)(3) organization created to help fight and bring awareness to PTS and depression. With the assistance of volunteer guides and mentors, Take a Vet Fishing provides guided fishing outings and a venue for veterans to socially interact with each other as a way to share their story and reconnect with fellow Veterans.
Operation Outdoor Freedom Foundation is a documentary show that airs on Discovery Channel as well as a host of streaming networks and local television programming. The half hour show documents the life of a veteran and captures and saves our History. “The Voice of a Hero” chronicles childhood through military service and life afterword.
Media Contact: Sam Jefson – Public Relations Specialist – 641-585-6803 - sjefson@wgo.net
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