My resolutions over the years have been and continues to be to enlighten people on the many attributes angling and life in the outdoors provide. As president for Anglers for Conservation Orlando, I believe recreational anglers are making headway in many areas. The majority of us understand the value of our limited resources and the challenges they face. Since the days of Teddy Roosevelt, recreational anglers are leading the way in conservation and resource protection. These efforts are consistently met with challenges, but the popularity and growth of our sport and its economic impact have changed the perspective of many policy makers.
As the president of AFC Orlando, I’m challenging each of you who are passionate about fishing and the outdoors to reach out in 2015, and share your passion with others. Take this challenge in the New Year and introduce someone new to fishing, join us in a Hook Kids on Fishing event or simply pick up some trash at your favorite fishing hole. Your efforts are important in preserving our sport for future generations to enjoy.
Our accomplishments in Orlando in 2014 are many and would not have been reached without your support along with our community partners and supporters: we conducted six different Hook Kids on Fishing Programs with over 700 kids in attendance and each receiving a new fishing rod, we purchased an enclosed trailer fully equipped with a full complement of tables, chairs, and tents and other tools needed to create a self-sustained HKOF training unit, and we successfully netted 14,000 dollars in earnings from our Gumbo Wars event which will be utilized to support the efforts of the AFC mission and other Central Florida children’s and veterans fishing programs.
We are truly blessed in Orlando by our passionate community partners like Fishing Florida Radio Show, Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando, Fish on Fire Restaurant, Mosquito Creek Outdoors, Mud Hole Custom Tackle, Travel Country Outdoors, Orlando Kayak Fishing Club, Central Florida Offshore Anglers Association, the Backcountry Flyfishing Association, UCF Reel Knight’s, just to name a few.Together our accomplishment are many and together we are making a difference in Orlando.
Thus far our 2015 schedule consist of four scheduled HKOF Programs for which grants have been submitted along with several promotional and fund raising events:
February 7- Hook Kids on Fishing Program (150 Kids) at the Apopka Wildlife Festival. Contact (407) 416-1187!
February 14-15- AFC Orlando Booth at the Old Florida Outdoor Festival in Apopka. Contact (407) 416-1187!
March 13- Hook Kids on Fishing Program at Conrad Academy (120 Kids). Contact (407) 416-1187!
April 11- Mosquito Creek Outdoors Kids Fishing Day (200 kids). Contact (407) 416-1187!
May 2- City of Casselberry Hook Kids on Fishing Program (100 kids). Contact (407) 416-1187!
As you can see, we have an ambitious plan for 2015 as our mission continues in Central Florida and across the State.
Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have done and all that you do, God bless you and here’s to a very happy and fishfull new year.
Happy New Year,
Captain Tom Van Horn