I had a call today at work, of a 9 year old boy looking for his 11 year old sister and 12 year old brother who were fishing. I took the 9 year old in my patrol car and drove him around until we found his brother and sister a few mins later. They only had one fishing rod that had a broken real, and only a few feet of line on it. Being that I have a few extra rods, I asked them if they would each like their own fishing rods, they became very excited!! They didn't have a lot of money and lived with their single mother. All three had different fathers, which none of them were in the picture.
I asked them if they thought that they would want to shoot bows, they all again, became very excited. The 9 year old told me that I was a nice cop, and then asked me to be his friend!! How do I go about getting bows for them, and finding a place where they can shoot? of course, I'm going to ask their mother first. I'm just not sure how to approach this.
They seem to be really good kids, who, from the looks of their "family environment", don't have a real chance (if you know what I mean).
I was thinking of picking up a few light fiber glass bows and a few wood arrows and taking them to a safe place where we can shoot. These kids kind of hit me hard, and I'd really like to try to be a positive role model for them, because they don't really seem to have one.
Any other suggestions would be helpful, Thanks
I bet you posted in the right place!! :thumbsup: who knows.... They will probably make you proud one day. I'm sure you see some heartbreaking things in your line of work....way to go by trying to make a difference!! Awesome!!!
Just plant the seed....that's all we can do. You go ahead brother. Proud of you in more ways than you I can express. :thumbsup:
If you think it'll work, I have a Bear Titan, solid fiberglass bow I'll send you. It's 32#@28" 60" and the older brother should be able to shoot it. I'll throw in a tab. I have only one 28" cedar arrow, but may have a light spined carbon or two that might work.
PM me w/your addy. It'll be next week, since my daughter has some tests out of town this week. Anything for the kids...
You will make a bigger difference than you realize.
TTT
Sean, sent you a PM.
Great job!!! That sir defines character!!
Three kids who will now trust, rather than fear, a person in uniform. Way to go Sean!
Tom
Sean, good for you my friend! I have a dozen wooden arrows here that a friend fletched up for a couple of kids I was teaching to shoot. They are yours, pm me, and I'll get them to you asap. My treat on the shipping.
Chuck ps; if I can help with anything else,let me know.
Pm bowwild on here...he is the founder of the National Archery in Schools program...bet he has some good ideas...you are a credit to your profession Sean
DDave
Case sensitive I guess...that is "Bowwild"
DDave
Thanks for the kind words, but all of you who have answered so quickly and PM'd me are truly great. :notworthy:
I'm going to give the kids these items under the condition that no matter what the do, they always try their best.
Wish I had the bows to give but I dont. I will go in with some cash though if you are going to purchase...let me know. Your doin a good thing. I hope it turns out well for all involved.
How about making some PVC bows?
Sean, way to step up to the plate! Nothing to give but my praise. Bob
Sean, I pretty sure I have you hooked up on some bows.
More details in your PM's
Hey Sean. How are you going to do it? Are you planning on holding on to the bows for them for a while until they learn a little? I would be afraid that they might mistreat them until they gain the respect for them. Kids might go out I the street and try to play a little Robin Hood! Hate to see arrows flying around houses or apartments. Maybe you could do something special and put their names on them with a silver or gold Sharpie and make it an occasion....then hold onto them while you take them out shooting a few times!! Hope you get a few pics so we can share in the smiles!!
Good job.
Above and beyond... :campfire:
Skitch, that's exactly what I'm going to do. I'm going to go ahead and give them all their own fishing tackle, but the bows, I'm going to hang onto til I feel that they understand that they are not toys. Again, Thank you to all that have donated in one way or another. I'll take pictures and give individual thanks when it all comes together.
Tradgangers are the best!! :thumbsup: :notworthy: :notworthy:
Sean, You are a good egg. Thank you for being you.
Sean. Got you and the young'ins set up with 3 bows and more!!! Check your pm
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
You Sir, are the reason I come here....
Outstanding!
~CB
You all are fantastic :clapper: :clapper:
Please keep us up to date on this. Great story here and bound to be a classic!! Pictures too!!
Ok fellows. I sent Sean a pm with details. This is what we got coming from my end.
Three glass recurves in great shape, half dozen arrows for each new archer, three arm guards, and three arrow hip quiver tubes.
I could not locate any tabs or shooting gloves.
Sean. It will probably be Monday before I can get it packed and shipped out.
Keep up the good work Sean!!
:clapper: way to go guys!
What a cool place this is!! Sean, I'm real proud of you...Doc
PS: I need to cross the border as I never got to ride in your patrol car :)
Thanks everyone!! You guy are the best there is!! I drpped off 3 "fishing kits" to them as I promised. The older boy, Charlie, answered the door. He was home by himself. He really didn't know what to say when I gave him the fishing poles. I gave hime 2 "pan fishing kits"( rod and closed faced reel with few small spinners, power grubs, hooks split shots and bobbers) and one "bass fishing kit" (open face spinning reel, rod, a crank bait, off set spinners worm hooks and power worms) He was very excited when I told him about the bows. I told him that I had to ask his mother first. I also told hime that he had to promise to stay out of trouble and to always try his best at everything in order to have the rods and bows.
I had to run out to a call, as his house was a little out of my jurisdiction. I will keep trying to contact his mother regarding the archery equiptment.
Com'on Doc, anytime you want to do a ride along, let me know!! We'll have to do some flyfishing!!
That kid opened the door to Santa Claus in blue!!
Nice!! Great job. :notworthy:
introduce them to scouting programs,you'll get a lot of structure there, perhaps become the archery merit badge counselor in that area.
4H has some great shooting programs. I volunteer time and equipment and the kids respond well to the discipline required. All you guys are heros in my book. You may never know how these kind acts will turn out for these youngsters.
PM sent
You know, you trad gang guys are a pretty nice bunch. Quick too!
Way to go Sean. The world could use a little more people like you. And no better place to find people willing to help out than on here. I have seen it time after time on here in the many years since i joined this site. And been on the receiving end of that generosity.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :clapper:
Sean this is awesome, I tried the same thing with my Boy Scouts some years ago. It turns out half of them still shoot traditional bow and one recruited his dad and they have graduated to self-bows making a tiller jig and a curing box(what ever that is) I'm glad to see them have fun. You will get everything you need here this is a site full of helpful people and the unselfish.
:wavey: :archer2:
Sean, everything is packed up and ready to ship.
I just got to get to the P.O. now.
This is what the world needs more of. A community of people willing to give their time, possessions and money to see that the less fortunate among us find some joy in their lives. You guys are great, I'm ready to find someone to help tomorrow!!!
Sean, Can I get a ride too or do I have to be bad???? Maybe Jeff and I will be in cahoots???
I hope you get through to the mother!
Good luck man, hope it all works out well. It could be life changing for those youngsters.
Sean. Packages sent.
Mark, I got them yesterday, thank you again!
I just want to let everyone know what a great group of guys that we have here on tradgang....
Mark Stella was generous enough to send me 3 bows, arrows, 3 quivers and 3 arm guards.
Charles Brake, aka cbCrow donated a dozen kids arrows,
Chris Fannin aka Juneaulongbow donated a BEAUTIFUL arm guard that he made.
Robert Whitaker aka river rat was generous to donate money into my Paypal account.
I'm overwhelmed with all the generosity and kindness of every one here!!
:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
Charlie, you get a ride any time you want!!....I'll even let you play with the siren!!!
I've been a little busy at work. I was able to stop by the kids hose only once since I gave them the fishing rods, however, no one was home.
Gotcha back
Got some disheartinging news, the mom of the kids, does not want them hanging around me (the cops). I was asked not to come around. I ran into the older boy, and it seems that moms boyfriend is uncomfortable with the "Po Po" being so close.
I feel angry and kind of foolish. I guess I was just being a little "Idealistic". I appreciate the support and the donation, I will send them back when I get the chance.
On a positive note however, I contacted the director of our day camp where I work, and I said that I'll come in for a week of Archery next year. They're all for it. So its in the works.
Maybe what those kids needed most right now was just a seed that someone cared enough to try. Even though you are disappointed I suspect you did more good for those kids than you know. I still applaud your efforts, so many people don't even try. Thank you.
Mark
very saddened to hear this. I applaud your efforts also. Keep up the good work on getting young ones involved. When one door closes, another door opens.
It's the message that counts. I bet they will still have a blue angel on their shoulder every now and then!! Great work and great example.
Sean, you know you can never give up being idealistic and hoping for the best, you just cant be surprised when the the worst rears its ugly head. All you can do is try and you did. :campfire:
Sean and all the others that have helped. Big Applause :clapper:
Keep being you and keep trying. Even though you may not be "allowed" to help out those youngsters, Good deeds and planted seeds will go a long way.
Most of these kids are given up on way to quickly, unfortunately its by their own parents first.
Solid try, you guys have the right spirit! Hats off... :clapper:
Regardless of the bad attitudes of the adults in those kids lives, you showed them that the man in the uniform cares about them. They will remember that.
Tom
Nice work!!!
Thanks for the encouragement all! It did cheer me up a bit. They at least got the fishing rods and are using them. I just hope that they'll be able to see that there s another way to live.
I guess I'll just have to keep an eye out for another kid in need!!!