05-24-2013, 02:01 PM
[#0000FF]Spent the morning yesterday visiting with Steve Henline on his boat Freedom's Dream. In case any of you have missed Steve's posts, he has put together a special large pontoon craft especially for challenged children and disabled vets...capable of loading and handling wheelchairs, etc.
As one who has always been a softie for kids...healthy or otherwise...I was drawn in. And I have also had a bit of experience in helping with physically challenged anglers. I am particularly passionate about our vets and helping them to be able to enjoy the things they have fought for us to be able to enjoy.
It didn't take long to soak up the dedication and commitment Steve has for making his boat available to any and all who can take advantage of it. It was also quickly apparent that he has drained his personal resources in the process of getting his boat built and on the water. He often has to make some magic to scare up enough cash to refill the two big 100 gallon fuel tanks on the boat. And that boat drinks fuel at a rapid rate.
Before I retired, much of my business career was involved with helping businesses grow and develop. I have managed to remember a few of the things I learned along the way and offered some suggestions and ideas to captain Steve. We mutually decided that I could probably help him in his initial growth process...to help get more corporate sponsors and some additional contributions from a variety of sources.
My personal belief is that there are probably a lot of folks out there...individual and corporate...who would really like to get behind Steve's program. They just need to know more about it. He got a good publicity boost last week when Adam Eakle and Tonya devoted a portion of their Utah Lake fishing program to Steve's program. For those who missed it on KSL I have attached the utube video.
In the meantime, I am going through my half-vast arsenal of semi-unused fishing gear to download to Steve and his passengers. He especially needs heavier spinning rods and reels. Most of what he has received are suitable for smaller fish but not for big ol' cats or carp. He also needs volunteers to help with larger groups.
And, if any fellow BFTers have connections with companies that might look kindly upon the program...and throw some money and support that way...you can refer them to the website at:
http://www.handinhandoutdoors.org/
If you want to contact Steve directly, for any additional information or discussion of how to become involved: [/#0000FF]henlinesteve@yahoo.com
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As one who has always been a softie for kids...healthy or otherwise...I was drawn in. And I have also had a bit of experience in helping with physically challenged anglers. I am particularly passionate about our vets and helping them to be able to enjoy the things they have fought for us to be able to enjoy.
It didn't take long to soak up the dedication and commitment Steve has for making his boat available to any and all who can take advantage of it. It was also quickly apparent that he has drained his personal resources in the process of getting his boat built and on the water. He often has to make some magic to scare up enough cash to refill the two big 100 gallon fuel tanks on the boat. And that boat drinks fuel at a rapid rate.
Before I retired, much of my business career was involved with helping businesses grow and develop. I have managed to remember a few of the things I learned along the way and offered some suggestions and ideas to captain Steve. We mutually decided that I could probably help him in his initial growth process...to help get more corporate sponsors and some additional contributions from a variety of sources.
My personal belief is that there are probably a lot of folks out there...individual and corporate...who would really like to get behind Steve's program. They just need to know more about it. He got a good publicity boost last week when Adam Eakle and Tonya devoted a portion of their Utah Lake fishing program to Steve's program. For those who missed it on KSL I have attached the utube video.
In the meantime, I am going through my half-vast arsenal of semi-unused fishing gear to download to Steve and his passengers. He especially needs heavier spinning rods and reels. Most of what he has received are suitable for smaller fish but not for big ol' cats or carp. He also needs volunteers to help with larger groups.
And, if any fellow BFTers have connections with companies that might look kindly upon the program...and throw some money and support that way...you can refer them to the website at:
http://www.handinhandoutdoors.org/
If you want to contact Steve directly, for any additional information or discussion of how to become involved: [/#0000FF]henlinesteve@yahoo.com
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and body language said it all about whether or not he liked being behind a fishing rod again. It was 
to see his shoulders sag and his resigned shuffle as I took him back "home" after a trip.