BARTLETT, Ill. (July 26, 2021) – To date, the nonprofit organization, Take A Vet Fishing (TAVF), has arranged and hosted over 2,000 U.S. military veterans outdoors for a day of fishing. Over 400 different fishing guides have donated their time, their boats, their expertise, and other resources to make our American heroes feel welcome while experiencing a peaceful, fun and healing time on the water.
In 2021, TAVF is scheduled to take over 400 more veterans fishing, weather permitting. “Many caring volunteers give their time to thank our veterans for their service and have fun themselves while doing so,” says Jay Garstecki, President and Co-Founder of TAVF. “It’s just a simple way to give back to the brave people who have fought selflessly for our great country.” ‘A day of giving’ is the slogan TAVF uses to thank our nation’s heroes. “Reaching out and offering a handshake along with a fun experience in the great outdoors is the very least we can do,” Garstecki continues.
But a handshake and some fun, it turns out, may be the least important benefits that TAVF provides to the veterans who participate in its programs and events. Fishing is well known as a relaxing pastime, and research proves 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. Many veterans actually experience healing through fishing, and TAVF and its supporting partners are doing everything they can to create and foster more of those experiences.
