Gander Mountain Stores are working together with Cast Aways for

[davetclown]

NEWS RELEASE
>
>MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
>Division of University Relations
>403 Olds Hall
>Michigan State University
>East Lansing, MI 48824-1047
>
>MEDIA CONTACT: Mark Stephens, fisheries and wildlife, (517) 432-2700,=20
><[url "mailtoteph143@msu.edu&gt;steph143@msu.edu"][#0000ff]mailtoteph143@msu.edu>steph143@msu.edu[/#0000ff][/url]; Patricia Stewart, fisheries
and=
=20
>wildlife, (517) 355-1821; or Sue Nichols, University Relations, (517)=20
>353-8942, <[url "mailto:nichols@msu.edu&gt;nichols@msu.edu"][#0000ff]mailto:nichols@msu.edu>nichols@msu.edu[/#0000ff][/url]
>
>5/5/04=20
>
>
>=93Cast Aways for Kids=94 brings new life to retired rods and reels
>
>EAST LANSING, Mich. =96 Michigan State University=92s Project F.I.S.H.
and=
=20
>Gander Mountain Stores are working together with =93Cast Aways for
Kids=94=
to=20
>collect and restore used fishing rods and reels to give them to
schools,=20
>youth groups and other community programs.
>
> Cast Aways for Kids, a program founded by Ron Schara of Minnesota
Bound,=
=20
> and Gander Mountain Stores partner with fishing clubs and
organizations=20
> that volunteer their time to renovate the rods to working=20
> condition. This year Gander Mountain is not only a partner, but also
the=
=20
> exclusive donation site for rods and reels. The retired reels will then=
=20
> be given to Project F.I.S.H. =96 Friends Involved in Sportfishing
Heritage=
=20
> =96 volunteers.
>
>=93What we will do is work with the kids to refurbish the donated
items,=20
>instead of doing it for them. This way the kids will learn how to take=20
>care of the equipment themselves,=94 said Mark Stephens, Project F.I.S.H.=
=20
>coordinator. =93Cast Aways for Kids is just another positive tool for=20
>Project F.I.S.H. volunteers to use to give kids repeat contact with=20
>fishing and access to a caring adult.=94
>
>Gander Mountain employees will exchange old or unwanted fishing rods
and=20
>reels for a $10-off coupon toward a $50 or more purchase. Donors also=20
>will receive a coupon booklet from Water Works Wonders, a national=20
>campaign dedicated to promoting the benefits of fishing and boating=20
>and sponsored by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation.
>
>=93When you bring in your cast aways you not only get the monetary=20
>incentive, you help get a kid fishing at the same time, which is the=20
>essence of Project F.I.S.H.,=94 said Stephens. =93This equipment may=
encourage=20
>a kid to become a lifelong steward of Michigan=92s aquatic resources.=20
>Partnered with a caring adult role model, your donation can do wonders.=94
>
>For more information about the location of the nearest Gander Mountain=20
>visit them online at [url "http://www.gandermountain.com"][#0000ff]www.gandermountain.com[/#0000ff][/url] or call them toll free at=20
>(800) 282-5993.
>
>The program will run from May 15 through the end of June.
>
>Project F.I.S.H. is a mentor-based, community-supported educational=20
>program that encourages interested teachers and volunteers to get kids=20
>excited about fishing, and works in cooperation with the Great Lakes=20
>Fishery Trust, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan=20
>State University Extension and Michigan United Conservation Clubs.
>
>To learn more about Project F.I.S.H, check out=20
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