Florida Archives - The Link-Up

Healing Through the Outdoors

Bob Bowden on August 1, 2023

Healing Through the Outdoors is veteran owned and operated and we understand how it is to feel like you are alone or that you have no one to talk to that will understand what you are going through. As a 20 year Navy Veteran with combat deployments, I know what it is like to deal with things that most people could not even imagine. As veterans, our realities are quite different from those that have never seen or experienced what life outside of the freedoms and liberties of the United States is like. As a retired veteran, my goal is to share my passion of the outdoors with others in the hope that it will give them the same peace that I have found by enjoying all that nature has to offer. I enjoy getting veterans and children out for the first time to hunt or fish and see that light in their eyes when they take their first shot or get their first catch. I especially enjoy being able to help those that are disabled to get out and enjoy something that they thought they would never be able to do again. We make every effort to make whatever accommodations need to be made for our clients in order for them to get the full experience and enjoyment from whatever adventure they choose.

AHERO

Bob Bowden on July 17, 2023

AHERO connects Veterans through outdoor activities as a means to recover from their physical wounds and psychological trauma to reintegrate with American life.

AHERO (America’s Heroes Enjoying Recreation Outdoors) connects Veterans with patriotic members of local communities by organizing outdoor events and social activities. Our goal is to heal the physical and psychological wounds of war and military service by:

Introducing Veterans to resources and programs available to them to increase their overall quality of life
Developing an informal support network of Veterans across the country
Encouraging constructive communication and engagement
Boosting morale

Wounded Waters

Bob Bowden on July 10, 2023

Getting Veterans out on the water, away from their struggles.

The mission of Wounded Waters is to give wounded warriors including Combat Veterans, Active Duty Military and First Responders outdoor adventures like fishing trips so they can take a break from worrying about all the stressors of daily life. Many Military Service men/women, Firemen and Police deal with high stress in their daily jobs and may even have Post Traumatic Stress issues, but they generally don’t like to talk about it. Too many of our Veterans and Service Personnel are feeling anxious, depressed, stressed and alone. Some are even at a high risk of suicide, a tragedy which we strive to prevent. Wounded Waters is trying to break down the barriers around these Service men and women, we want to let them know they are not alone and offer a helping hand out of the darkness they may be struggling with.

Paralyzed Veterans of America

Bob Bowden on April 30, 2023

It does not matter if you are a first-time angler or have years of experience reeling in the big bass, the PVA Bass Tour is for you! Held at lakes and rivers known for their excellent fishing, the PVA Bass Tour accommodates anglers interested in fishing from a boat or who enjoy the serenity of fishing from the bank. We host both an Open division (boat) and a bank division to support all anglers.You don’t have a boat? That is ok! We have volunteer boat captains experienced in fishing the PVA Bass Tournament Series. Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) offers a trapshoot tournament series consisting of several trap shoot events each year. Trapshooting is a popular and challenging sport that can be an exciting activity for competitive and recreational shooters. The sport involves shooting at clay targets that are launched in the air from a machine, known as a “trap house,” at different angles and speeds. PVA’s trapshoot competitions consist of 300 targets, including 100 Singles and Handicap/Yardage and 50 pairs of Doubles. This sport requires a combination of skill, precision, and focus, making it an exciting and fun way to spend time outdoors. Our shooting events are open to the community and allow for wheelchair users and able-bodied shooters to compete as equals.

Heroes Harvests

The Link-Up on March 20, 2023

Heroes’ Harvests is a 501(c)(3) whose mission is to provide our Nation’s service members, to include active duty military members, reserve, national guard, veterans, and Gold Star families, a dynamic therapeutic environment through exclusive hunting, fishing, and outdoor experiences. We also directly support our community members, in conjunction with outfitters across different states, for transitioning service members who seek a career in the outdoor industry.

Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation

The Link-Up on March 20, 2023

The Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation Inc. (WWIA) serves our nation’s combat-wounded Purple Heart recipients by providing world-class outdoor sporting activities as a means to recognize and honor their sacrifice, encourage independence and connections with communities, and promote healing and wellness through camaraderie and a shared passion for the outdoors.

Multiple states throughout the country.

Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch

The Link-Up on March 20, 2023

Inspiring Veterans To Get Out And Active

The Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch (WWAR) has been built to inspire veterans of all conflicts to get OUT and ACTIVE. We offer activities for all Military Veterans in need of a supportive and healing environment, to give a new sense of hope, resilience and strength as they move forward in their journey.

Our Non Profit offers a huge range of activities, workshops, clinics and events for all veterans and the adaptive sports community in the Tampa Bay Area.

Wounded Warrior Outdoors

The Link-Up on March 20, 2023

Wounded Warrior Outdoors, Inc. is a non-profit organization exclusively founded to provide wounded servicemen and women with therapeutic outdoor adventures across North America. WWO gives deserving Active Duty Warriors in transition the opportunity of a lifetime in the wilderness location of their choice. We call them “Adventures Enabled.” Their adventure could take them bear hunting in the mountains of British Columbia, Canada, on alligator hunts or fishing excursions in the Gulf Coast region of Florida or deer hunting in Texas. During their experience, they will participate in therapeutic activities such as backpacking, trail expeditions and numerous social interactions.

Wounded Warrior Outdoors provides this all-inclusive adventure at absolutely no cost to the servicemen and women, their families or the government. Transportation, lodging, meals and documentation of the adventure is provided free of charge. It is because of this arrangement that Wounded Warrior Outdoors relies entirely on private donations. Administration, general offices and personnel services are donated.

In order to maintain this highly effective organization, we need the support of private individuals and corporations. At Wounded Warrior Outdoors, over ninety percent of all donations directly benefit these Active Duty Warriors in transition.

Fifty wounded, but active, members of the military are selected to participate each year. Our host facilities are of the highest quality and offer all the comforts of home. WWO also provides complete outfitting including gear, clothing and field transport. Even taxidermy services are provided at no charge.

Most important to the program, Active Duty Warriors in transition are provided with all the accessibility and equipment necessary to make it an adventure that is truly memorable and one in which they can participate fully. No matter the individual’s disability, our focus in on ability and making sure their adventure becomes the memory of a lifetime.

All military branches have participated in our program and we have many relationships with military hospitals that help us facilitate our programs.

Inspiring Veterans To Get Out And Active

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