I am just totally blown away by the generosity of some Wallers as they donate various things to me to set up these young people with bows and accessories. To date, I have given away over 20 bows with accessories. The first 12 or 13 bows were bows that I had with stuff that I had.
But several bows were added to this by Wallers, 3 of which were left handed. I have received shafts, arrows(of all kinds), a few quivers, arm guards, gloves and tabs, nocks, bow strings, points, various judo points and blunts, broadheads, feathers and other things like bow stringers etc.
I have also received 2 kids bows (and another on its way). I have made several quivers as I am always in need of them as well as several arm guards. I make arrows with what I have and make sure that they get them as well as Flu Flu's and small game heads.
And I must say that as a whole, no junk stuff but all usable stuff to get them started and even to hunt with. I do my best to help them get started and coach them as often as possible. The hope is to show them that they can have fun outdoors and even hunt.
Too many of the youth see nothing but a bleek future and I hope to change that as much as I can. Later this summer, I hope to have at least 2 young men here at my house to help them make selfbows.
I have given bows to 2 vets so far, one foreign exchange student (female) for a total of three females, 2 twelve year olds, and the rest young men of which most were fathers with young kids or babies.
So far, I have received stuff from the East coast to the west coast, from Wisconsin to Texas. So it has been from pretty much across the lower 48 states. I give them what I have on hand and do my best to match up the equipment to them and what they mean to do.
Almost all are shocked at what they get, the thank you's are non stop and I make sure several times to let them know that many people across this country have donated to what they have received. It is a great feeling to have someone come up to you and thank you for what was done for a family member and to say how much they are shooting.
I have seen little kids wanting a bow like their father's to shoot with them. In one case, even the wife began shooting a bow with them. As I have said before, this is a "we thing", not an "I thing." You guys have enabled me to do far more than I could on my own.
I enjoy telling them that their bow came from Pennsylvania, their quiver from North Carolina, their broadheads from.....and so on. This in turn amazes them that anyone would do this for them. I just smile and tell them that we have some very good people, Wallers, that care. In this world of today, it is good to see that good things still happen.
So, again I say thanks to those that have helped, you have really made a difference in some of these young peoples' lives. Jerry
