Patrick Henry Elementary School Fishes for Donations to Help Paralyzed Veterans Anglers

Students at Patrick Henry Elementary School in Arlington, Virginia, collected donations this spring for the Paralyzed Veterans of America’s Bass Tour. The children specifically wanted to raise enough money to purchase new fishing rods for newly injured wounded warriors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center that will participate in the upcoming Capital Clash Bass Tournament to be held July 23-25 in Waldorf, Maryland.

The Paralyzed Veterans of America Bass Tour consists of six two-day tournaments, which are held at various locations around the country. Each tournament consists of an Open/Team Competition for those anglers who wish to fish from a boat and a Bank Competition for those who prefer to fish from shore. Disabled anglers in the Open/Team Competition are paired with able-bodied boat partners for the tournament events. Disabled anglers in the Bank Competition are paired with volunteers who assist them in whatever they cannot do themselves while fishing.

The students collected money from their Pennies for Soldiers drive, and their donations totaled $400. With the help of the Arundel Mills Bass Pro Shop, the money they raised was used to purchase eight rod and reel combos.  On Friday, June 18, the school invited Alan Earl and Doug Beckley from Paralyzed Veterans in addition to a group of wounded warriors form Walter Reed Army Medical Center to a luncheon in their honor. Earl and Beckley presented the school with a framed certificate of appreciation for their donation and support of Paralyzed Veterans.

 “Giving these newly injured wounded warriors a chance to get out of the hospital and on the water is key to a successful recovery, “ said Earl. “The Students at Patrick Henry did an outstanding job raising money and helping these very deserving wounded warriors.”

Patrick Henry Elementary Student Lily, School Council Historian, summed it up perfectly in her card to Paralyzed Veterans, “Thank you so much for the sacrifices that you have made for our country! This fishing equipment is given to you by the students of Patrick Henry Elementary School as a small token of our respect for you.  I hope you catch a big one with it, but, as far as I’m concerned, you are the biggest catch that our country could ever have.”

Learn more about the Paralyzed Veterans Bass Tour>