Shelby Shopper Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1490355
704-484-1047 www.shelbyinfo.com Our 40th Year • Issue No. 3 • January 19, 2023 "We Are Your Print Source" TWO TWO BIG BIG DAYS! DAYS! Ora Ora SUPER SUPERMARKET MARKET & BROAD RIVER HAMS & BROAD RIVER HAMS ONLY ONLY $ 6 99 99 each each 1026 EAST MARION ST., SHELBY, NC WE ACCEPT EBT, SNAP, FOOD STAMPS, DEBIT 704-487-4377 WWW.ORASUPERMARKET.COM Like Us On Facebook! BACON WRAPPED FILETS BACON WRAPPED FILETS FRIDAY • JAN. 27 FRIDAY • JAN. 27 TH TH & SATURDAY • JAN. 28 & SATURDAY • JAN. 28 TH TH HRS: 8AM-6PM MON-.SAT. Our 80 Our 80 th th Year! Year! Warrior Fishing Foundation "angling" to help disabled veterans heal Looking for new veterans to "come, go fishing" as well as for donations to make it happen for them by MICHAEL E. POWELL CF Media michael@cfmedia.info F o r r e - tired, disabled U.S. Marine Corps veteran Ben Travis, fishing was something he did when he was a kid or a youth. Who knew it would become a veritable life-saver for him, but it certainly did! So much so, he had to spread the word and help out others like him who were needing something to help them like being out on the water and fishing did for him. So, he started the Wounded War- rior Foundation, and it has taken off in a big way for him and the veterans he helps. Said Travis recently, "I started the Wounded Warrior Foundation in 2022, after realizing the impact that fishing and being outdoors had on my men- tal health as well my physical health. I realized that not only did it give me escape from the everyday routines, but it aided me in developing my critical thinking skills, problem solving skills, and became a way for me to build back confidence and increase my focus." Travis said he is "…a Disabled Veteran (United States Marine Corps 2002-2006) diagnosed with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)." "I realized that if I started a founda- tion and tried to raise money to help take other veterans in the same situa- tion as myself fishing, then maybe they too could begin a journey to healing and wellness they may have not been motivated achieve otherwise," he said, adding, "Having a bass boat, I felt I could really achieve that goal." So far, Ben said he has only taken a few veterans with him, and most trips have been to local ponds just to con- verse and get an idea for what other veterans may need or want in a foun- dation. Travis continued, "However, this year, with the addition of a new Skeeter bass boat, I plan to focus my attention on Lake Norman, Lake Hickory, and other lakes in western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. My goal is to eventually be able to travel throughout the southeast, so that I can reach as many veterans as pos- sible who might benefit from my cause, and make this my full-time journey." As for what kind of fishing they do, Travis noted, "We stick to bass fishing since that is what I know best. Having bass fished for most of my life, growing up with my fa- ther and on my own over the years, I could give the veter- ans the best possible oppor- tunity to catch fish. Although the trips are about more than catching fish, it is one of the main goals for the day." As for who can come out or what audience he's looking for, Ben said, "We invite any vet- eran who may be struggling physically or psy- chologically, no matter the gender. However, I try to avoid having more than two people on the boat at one time, myself and the other vet- eran. I want to keep the environment as safe as possible, and having more than two people on a bass boat can feel a little overwhelming and crowded. So, we limit our program to just one veteran at a time. It keeps us safe, and al- lows us to focus on the task at hand." Ben said they haven't fished or had any tournaments yet, and although he's "…sort of new to the process of fundraising," he does see some really neat tournaments in his future. "My main goal now is fundraising, network- ing, and bringing the idea of the foundation to reality," he said. "We have the boat, the dona- tions are beginning to show up, and now we are just excited to hit the water for the year and see how this ride plays out. It's all about the veterans, and if I'm honest, it's better for me than any medicine they could ever prescribe. Starting this foundation has given me purpose again in my own life. Like they say, a bad day of fishing beats a good day of anything else!" Travis noted the foundation's donations im- pact the veterans as they use them to directly aid in their cause. "They help to buy fishing gear, safety equip- ment, keep the operational cost down, and help us to be able to give each veteran a rod and reel, as well as a tackle box they can take home to start their own journey of fishing," stated Tra- vis. "We have several donation tiers, with the highest being $5,000 and up, which will enable a company who is interested in donating that amount, get exposure by placing their logo on our boat, our truck, and on all our marketing ma- terial as well as our website and social media. We look daily for partnerships in the industry." For more information on donating and refer- ring a veteran to the Foundation, please con- tact Ben Travis at Warrior Fishing Foundation at www.warriorsfish.com. You can also email him at warriorfishingfoundation@gmail.com, or call him at (980) 241-4428 and either leave him a message or text him. Warrior Fishing Foundation's creator, Ben Travis, stands by his new Skeeter bass boat. He will use this to take veteran's out on the water to rest, have fun, and heal (and catch fish while they do it). (photos/graphic provided) A close-up of Ben Travis, founder of Warrior Fishing Founda- tion, which helps military veterans recover from PTSD and other trials they face daily by getting out on the water and fishing. Travis says just doing that helped him immensely with his own PTSD. Nothing says "laid back" like a very satisfied angler holding a very large and fine looking, just-reeled-in fish! CAROLINA CAROLINA TROPHIES TROPHIES "Awards for All Occasions" 704-482-2392 www.carolinatrophies.com 709 Eastview St., Shelby, NC