Contributed By Michael “GlockGuy” Guyer
I’m looking at 4 boxes that need to be taken to the Disabled American Veterans donation center today. You see, we donate here and there throughout the year, but as New Year’s Eve approaches, the push is on to get those final boxes to the donation center for that Charitable Donation tax slip.
Then, I took a look around at my kayaking and fishing stuff. Most years my Christmas wish list includes upgraded gear, which makes the gear it replaced obsolete. I tend to be a pack rat, but at last count I had 4, count ‘em FOUR, PFDs! I also realized that I had lots of fishing tackle that never made it onto the water in 2014. Some of it didn’t even make it into my kayak in 2013 either. It’s all in really good shape, because I take good care of my gear. Much of that unused tackle is new. Nothing wrong with it, just stuff that got bought and then didn’t fit the type of fishing that I do.
Then, the solution to my dilemma hit me – Charitable Contributions! No, I’m not taking that gear to the DAV Donation Center, or the Salvation Army, or any of those other worthwhile organizations. No sir, I have a much better idea – Heroes On The Water!
While I can’t use four MTI PFDs at once, and I like to keep a spare around, I am willing to bet that the local HOW Chapter Coordinator can find a use for two of ‘em. Ditto the three BPS baitcast reels that got replaced by Abu Garcia Revos this year. When I donate a shirt to the DAV, the local dry cleaner cleans and presses them for free as their way of giving back to the community. Maybe one of the local fishing shops will donate their services to give those reels a good clean and lube. After all, it’s for a good cause!
Take a look around. If you haven’t used it in a while and don’t anticipate using it in the future, give it to HOW, or another fishing-related charitable organization in your area. Don’t dump off stuff on them that you don’t use because it’s damaged or worn out. They make trash cans for that. They don’t have tons of resources to sort so make sure your donation can be used.
If you don’t get a warm and fuzzy feeling from donating to others in need, then look at it from this perspective – You just made a bunch more room for more kayaking and fishing stuff!
