TAKE A VET FISHING NFP

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TAKE A VET FISHING NFP

Take A Vet Fishing, NFP provides free, guided fishing experiences to U.S. The mission is simple, to show these men and women how much they mean to us.

military veterans as a way to promote healing, connection, and gratitude, known as "A Day of Giving Back." TAKE A VET FISHING was created to give back to those who serve our great nation every day. Our slogan is "A day of giving back" and that is the core of our mission. When our brave service men and women return from overseas, as a nation, we have been failing to show these heroes our appreciati

on. A shockingly high number of service members are returning with injuries and even the soldiers without physical wounds, are having a hard time adjusting back to the "real world". These "hero's" have given so much of themselves to defend our nation. Reaching out and offering a "thank you" with a hand shake, is the very least we should do. At Take a Vet Fishing, we take it a step further. Not only do we show these heroes our gratitude and shake their hand, we hand them a fishing rod!

08/11/2026

The 2026 Take A Vet Fishing Event on beautiful Lake Mille Lacs MN was again a huge success! The weather was absolutely perfect. Many of the fish caught may not have been whoppers but the making of new and the renewing of old friendships were record-breaking! Twenty-nine veterans along with several family members shared a great day of fellowship and camaraderie. The guides and crew of the McQuoid’s Inn launch boats made the fishing fun and safe. Another wonderful pancake breakfast with all the fixin’s by the Isle MN Fire Department started off the day. Thank you Fire Dept members for your service to the community. After a great day of fishing, the ceremony started with VFW Post 2816 posting the colors. Miriam Mueller gave a stirring rendition of the National Anthem and Capt. Tom Stygar followed it up with touching prayer. The BBQ lunch provided by Smokin’ Mortars BBQ in Isle, was nothing short of fantastic! Smokin’ Mortars is a must-stop whenever you’re in the Isle MN area. Thank you again owners Arlo, Heather, and Logan Paulsen for being part of it and for your support! We were able to create awareness for what TAVF has to offer and as luck would have it, a couple veterans were able to talk about navigating VA claims and the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association.

Special thanks to Tim, Cindy and the entire staff of McQuoid’s Inn of Isle MN for again making the event seamless and trouble-free. For more information on all McQuoid’s Inn has to offer year-round, check out www.mcquoidsinn.com or call 800-862-3535 or 320-676-3535. The Isle MN business community generously supported veterans and our “Day of Giving Back” to the veterans. Thank you all!

08/06/2026

Through the presentation of entertaining and educational information, provided through interviews with tremendous guests, the WeFishASA Podcast helps people become more interested and proficient at fishing, while introducing new people to the sport!

Take a Vet Fishing’s very own Jay Garstecki was recently featured as a guest on the WeFishASA Podcast on August 5th, discussing Take A Vet Fishing, Operation Healing Heroes Foundation, and more!

Click the link to listen now!
https://www.wefishasa.com/episode-528-aug-5-2026/

08/04/2026

They patrol the waters we call home.

For 236 years, the men and women of the United States Coast Guard have faced rough seas, dangerous missions and impossible odds to protect our shores and save lives.

Today, Take A Vet Fishing proudly salutes every Coast Guardsman who has answered the call.

Happy Birthday, U.S. Coast Guard.

Semper Paratus. 🇺🇸

08/03/2026

Barn Built Fitness & Wellness, a veteran owned business near Edgerton WI, will be holding another “Yoga on the River” fundraiser! This time it will benefit Take A Vet Fishing! Come to The Anchor in Newville at 9:00am on Saturday, August 22nd to feel the relaxing benefit of yoga as well as the satisfaction of helping military veterans who served our country. It is free of charge and Take A Vet Fishing will benefit from all donations.

Thank you, Barn Built Fitness & Wellness owners Tori & Austin Mades for making this happen and for your support! Contact Tori at 608-295-6730 with questions or information or check out www.barnbuiltfit.com!

07/28/2026

The 2026 Take A Vet Fishing-Operation Healing Heroes Golf Outing at Towne Country Club in Edgerton WI, was a huge success thanks to the generosity of everyone who participated, the donors, and supporters of our organizations! Your generosity allows TAVF and OHHF to continue our missions.

The cooler weather in the morning was welcome, and the brief drizzle didn’t dampen a thing! The day started with another wonderful and emotional rendition of the National Anthem by Hailey Aleson. Some great golf was played, and the event was won with a 14 under par score by John Nelson, Matt Spencer, Brian Jenner, and Andrew Morrison. Auctioneer Billy Morrison again made the live auction fun and successful! Big thanks to TCC Gen Mgr./Superintendent Matt Rivers, Mgr. Ali Koepp, and the entire staff at TCC. The course was in great shape, and the food, drinks, and outing details were excellent! Thank you to the TAVF staff and volunteers for all you do.

The generosity and support for veterans, TAVF, and OHHF that is shown by the community of Edgerton, Evansville, Milton, Janesville and all the surrounding communities cannot be overstated. Whenever there is a need, these citizens rise to the occasion, no matter the cause. Thank you all so much. 🇺🇸⛳️

07/20/2026

Take A Vet Fishing and Operation Healing Heroes once again saw the generosity and support from the Edgerton, WI community at the To***co Heritage Days Celebration Car & Truck show and Parade!

The annual fundraiser for TAVF and the car show was a huge success not only through the donations received, but also with the opportunity to chat with many show goers to create awareness for veterans and our mission! Over 300 classic and custom cars and trucks were on display!

Special thanks to Steve Hanewall of Steves’s 51 Repair, and the entire car show committee for your support and for another great show! The cheering, clapping and all the thumbs up we received during the parade was truly inspiring and appreciated! Thank you, To***co Heritage Days President Kyle Furseth, the entire board, and all volunteers for another wonderful weekend!

07/04/2026

Today we celebrate 250 years of America. We honor the land of freedom, opportunity, and the home of the brave.

This Independence Day, we honor the men and women who have served and sacrificed to protect the freedoms we enjoy every day. Your courage, dedication, and selfless service will never be forgotten.

From all of us at Take a Vet Fishing, thank you to our veterans, active-duty service members, and military families. We are proud to celebrate this great nation and those who have defended it for 250 years.

Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸🎣

07/01/2026

Welcome aboard Woods to Waters Designs LLC Home and Cabin Décor Store in Edgerton, WI to the Take A Vet Fishing family! Thank you owners Robert & Sherry Hintz for your generous donation! Founded in 2025, Robert and Sherry’s love for time at the cabin has inspired their new business. Designing to decorating and all things lake life has brought many smiles and memories. The special, unique, and custom items they offer in their showroom are all things that will make your home unique and memorable.

For more information and to see all Woods to Water Designs has to offer, go to www.woodstowaterdesigns.com or Facebook. Better yet, stop into the store at 2 Lord Street in Edgerton to see for yourself and enjoy the hospitality at Woods to Waters Designs and the whole town!

Thanks again Robert and Sherry!

06/26/2026

Take A Vet Fishing was honored to be part of the Kids Fishing Day at Camp Gratitude again this year! TAVF guides, Tom, Eddie, Jason, Terry, and Tony donated their boats, time, equipment, and expertise to take kids of veterans fishing on beautiful Big Marine Lake near Marine on St Croix, MN. The fishing was tremendous, but the smiles on the 20+ kids that took part were even better! All kids received a fishing reel and TAVF shirt. All of us with TAVF received something you can’t put a value on. As an added bonus, the Operation Healing Heroes production team Jay, Keith, and Javi filmed an episode with Camp Gratitude founder, Navy veteran Bill Hottel, to document his life and how Camp Gratitude came to be!

Camp Gratitude is a non-profit that provides week-long camping experience all at no charge for veterans and their families to relax and have fun while building strength and cohesiveness.. These are hosted by the wonderful Veterans Campground on Big Marine Lake. A fun-filled and meaningful week awaits all who participate.

See www.campgratitude.org and www.vetscampmn.org for more information on these two awesome organizations. Thank you Bill, Yvonne, Ken, all volunteers, parents, and staff for your hospitality and all you do for veterans and their families!

06/17/2026

Take A Vet Fishing Madison 2026 is in the books… and it made for a great time! Other than being a bit breezy, the weather was perfect. The fish were biting, stories were shared, and company was enjoyed! It was an awesome gathering of veterans and families! A nice BBQ lunch from Mission BBQ topped off the fishing.

A huge thank you goes out to all guides and volunteers who took part to keep the event running smoothly, safely, and enjoyable for all! Thank you to American Legion Post 534 Post in McFarland for hosting again this year and for the hospitality! Special thanks to Legion members Mike Brennan, Gumby, and Barney!

Grand prizes for the veterans were provided by TAVF and Fishing 4 Veterans Guides Capt. Tom Stygar (Lake Michigan Fishing Trip) and Eddie Jaramillo (Lake Geneva Bass Fishing Trip) as well as Al Hutchison (10 custom rods), Nathan Waier of Patriot Paddlers( Kayak Fishing Trip, and Navy veteran Bob Nickel for his custom-made fishing net commemorating the 2026 Madison TAVF event! Thank you all!!

Address

PO BOX 2253
Kenosha, WI
53141

Website

http://www.takeavetfishing.org/

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