Willmar Chapter Launches their 2017 season

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SPICER — Let’s Go Fishing launched its 15th season in a big way this week, and appropriately so. The Willmar chapter has already seen a 41 percent bump in registrations from last year, and it is usually in the next couple of weeks when most of the registration calls will come in, according to Jim Gauss, president of the Willmar chapter. “We’re getting calls from all over the place,” he said.

The calls are welcome, as the chapter is ready for a big year. It has a good group of both new and returning volunteers on deck for the season, although new help is always welcome, he said. The volunteers launched the season Monday and Tuesday by hosting approximately 300 elementary students from the Willmar Public Schools on Green Lake. Three pontoons made a total of 18 trips to give the young students from Kennedy Elementary an opportunity to enjoy time on the water.

They tried their hand at fishing, too. “Not a lot of fish caught, but they had fun,” Gauss said. The volunteers will be hosting elementary students Thursday from Central Minnesota Christian School in Prinsburg and next week from the Prairie Woods Elementary School in New London. Read the full story here…

 

 

 

Reeling in good health

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LGF seeing first hand the benefits of a boat ride

Studies have shown that nature has beneficial effects on mental and physical health.

And Let’s Go Fishing’s many chapters in Minnesota are stressing the importance of those outdoor attributes in its mission statement: “Bringing Nature’s Healing and Well-Being to Seniors, Veterans and the Disabled.”

Let’s Go Fishing is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that was established by Executive Director Joe Holm and his wife Carolyn, of Willmar, in 2002.

“LGF liberates people from isolation, loneliness and depression – by giving them boating day trips, and sometimes even fish to catch,” said Holm. “Healthier and happier people are the result.”

Let’s Go Fishing now has 25 chapters throughout Minnesota, as well as one in Wisconsin. Read the full article at Senior Perspective…

Hospitalized Fargo Veterans go fishing

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Detroit Lakes, MN (WDAY TV) – Finally a wind-less day. And with a lake full of fish, Big Detroit Lake played host to a special kind of “day on the water.”

A few times a summer, the Fargo VA takes some of its veterans for an afternoon of fishing. Volunteers from the non-profit group “Let’s Go Fishing” provide the pontoon, the rods, and the memories.

“Ready to catch fish?” said Tim Miller.

“We are ready to catch fish,” said Gerry Gronvold.

The veterans arrived from Fargo.  Watch the full story from WDAY here…

Snowbirds Flock to Willmar

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Ann Patrick and Terry Dinderman of the Orange Grove RV Park Picnic Group from Edinburg, Texas, wave Tuesday as they leave a public dock to cruise Green Lake courtesy Let’s Go Fishing.

The migratory, mostly Midwestern flock, spend winters deep in the heart of Texas and hold a reunion picnic each summer in a different home town, this one headquartered at the Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds for three days with about 150 attending. Watch the full story on WCTRIB.com…

Let’s Go Fishing – Building partnerships within the communities it serves

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By Tom Cherveny – West Central Tribune – SPICER – Linda Dilley knows how to make life fun for the residents of Bethesda Pleasant View in Willmar, where she is the activities assistant.

But she will admit that residents enjoy some of their best times outside the comfort of their Pleasant View home. By all measures, one of their favorite activities is Let’s Go Fishing outings on the waters of Green Lake. The excitement and good vibes continue when they return and tell others of their adventures, according to Dilley.

She will admit this, too. “Sometimes I’m just as giddy when I take them out and see the joy on their faces,’’ said Dilley. “To me,’’ she said of Let’s Go Fishing, “it’s the best organization around.’’

Let’s Go Fishing will continue to get around and touch lives on the water in more places than ever as it enters its 15th year, according to Joe Holm, its founder and executive director. Holm said the Spicer-based, nonprofit has continued to see steady growth since its start. Read the full story at www.wctrib.com

Detroit Lakes Chapter finishes the season with 131 trips

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By Vicki Gerdes… DETROIT LAKES TRIBUNE — It’s been another successful season for the Detroit Lakes chapter of Let’s Go Fishing, the volunteer-run organization that offers area seniors and disabled residents, veterans and youth an opportunity to experience what it’s like to get out on the lake and fish, or see the sights — many of them for the first time. A total of 131 trips were taken from May through September, serving more than 1,265 clients of all ages, including more than 900 adults and 300 youth.

“One hundred thirty-one is a new record for the number of trips in a season,” said Dave Hochhalter, a co-founder of the chapter who still serves on its governing board. And there could have been even more, he added; 37 trips were cancelled, “primarily because of weather.” The chapter also achieved some memorable milestones this summer, having served more than 5,600 clients and completed over 600 trips since its inception in 2008. Read the full story…

Let’s Go Fishing honors veterans for duty

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Echo Press By Will Benson Many people in the Alexandria area take for granted a day out on the boat on one of the many nearby lakes. For the participants in the annual Let’s Go Fishing Veteran’s Special Day, however, that could not be further from the truth. Fergus Falls native and current Alexandria resident Warren Gundberg went out for his third year at the event, and despite vision difficulties, appreciates the trip. Read the full story here…

 

PrairieCare to open new mental health hospital

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PrairieCare… one of LGF’s biggest sponsors, is opening a new mental health facility in the Twin Cities. BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. – More help is coming for children in the Twin Cities dealing with mental health issues. PrairieCare will open a brand new pediatric mental health hospital in September.

Watch the full story on Kare 11…

North Branch Chapter Receives Donation

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The North Branch Chapter of Let’s go Fishing is pleased to receive a donation from the Krona family in Lindstrom, in memory of Shel Krona, who was able to go out on numerous Let’s go Fishing trips. Read the Full Story…