Our Outreach Programs:
Here is a note from Ben who runs an amazing fishing tour that The Long Walk Home supports financially:
"First month in the books for 2020 was our busiest month to date here in Islamorada Fl. We have opened our doors to many Veterans and their families already, and we are continuing our charitable Veterans R&R Fishing inc. trips plus accommodations right through 2020. We estimating this year will be our most trips provided yet with 110 rod days with accommodations in 2019. We have a few great new volunteer captains that want to help us take out even More Hero’s on trips of a life time. We did end up reaching our end of the year goal, to have a great friend and supporter double our year end goal, which he has pledged to do again this year. We were able to get the equipment, maintenance, licenses, insurance and upgrades we needed to start 2020 with out being in the negative. Just one month into the year our Veterans Trips are filling up fast and with our two major events in planning (Independence Day Veterans Festival) & (Three Day Everglades Camp) we need your support more then ever. Our Goal at Veterans R&R Fishing inc. is to make sure Veterans never feel forgotten and always have somewhere to turn. Thank you in advance for your support in 2020 please consider supporting our Veterans in anyway you can whether it be a donation, monthly support, or word of mouth. Thank you from all of us that Proudly Served."
Capt. Ben Trainer-Sgt. USMC
Leatherneck Backcountry Fishing LLC., Veterans R&R Fishing inc.
Contact: 305-570-9424
A sincere appreciation stated by Major Duane C. Stamm, USMC to "Military Matters" packing party & the firefighters of City of Seminole Fire Rescue Department, Seminole Fire Station #29.
"I would like to give a huge thank you to all you firefighters and to all of the first responders out there. Many people thank our veterans, but often forget to say thank you to all of you, and I can’t thank you enough. I say thank you to every one of you that I see in our society because when I deploy and am away from my family, I can’t fully concentrate on my mission without knowing you guys are here to protect them. If something should ever happen, I would always imagine I would be there, I would be the one protecting my family and protecting them, and getting them to safety. I really have a hard time being away because if something happened while I am away, I feel powerless, but having competent fire fighters, law enforcement officers, and paramedics, and all the first responders make me feel better and allow me to at least know that my family has a chance, so I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your devotion to duty and for keeping my family and me safe. Thanks so much."
~Duane C. Stamm
Donation given to "Leatherneck BackCountry Fishing" Ben Trainers Non-Profit Organization:
This heartwarming story is one reason why we support Ben Trainer's organization:
"I am a Viet Nam Veteran, whose story of others is similar. I was diagnosed with Stage IV Throat Cancer in December of 2017. Initially I was NOT going to go through the treatment protocol, ie, Chemo and Radiation. That’s when Ben came into my life through one of my closest friends and confidant, Danny Hanes. Ben was awesome, non judgmental, didn’t pry into my cancer thought process, only talked of great days in USMC and fishing. After two full days of fishing, I was calm enough to collect my thoughts regarding the cancer, the treatment, and most of all, My Family. Ben’s kindness allowed me the time and space to make the final decision to “fight” the cancer. As I departed from Ben, I told him I “would fight” the disease. But know this: I do not think I could have come to that decision without the time of “clarity”. What Ben does is nothing short of a miracle for Veterans in crisis. 15 months later and I am still here, and ever so grateful to Ben Trainer and Danny Hanes. My family, my wife and my life are grateful beyond mere words. Please help support this awesome man and the service he offers to those that have sacrificed so much !!!!"
~John Jamason (Contact Ben 305-570-9424)
Thank you for helping us in your continued support as we evolve in finding the most effective ways to facilitate others change their lives and the world. If you have suggestions on how we can be of service, let us know.
In the past our ultimate goal had been to build a gym free for Veterans as it has been proven that exercise helps heal PTSD and TBI. Also having owned and run a gym for over 20 years, Ron knows the benefit first hand as well as you need more then just exercise to accelerate the healing. Leading up to that goal, TLWH had leased a building with plans to convert it into a gym, but in the mean time we used it as a homeless shelter. What we learned over the 2 years we had this building offering assistance and weekly programs was that it would be more effective to partner with existing gyms and add other components to the exercise which are breathing and meditation. This will enable us to reach more service connected people faster and more efficiently. There are many ways to help form a supportive community, this is the way we chose to offer support.
When TLWH was renting a building in Key Largo, January 2015-December 2016, our outreach had evolved along with the initial mission. Early on, everything was about creating awareness until we began holding workshops in early 2014. These workshops grew in attendance and volunteers. We began to open them to all of the community. A presence was felt in the local community and many were starting to stop by to see what we were doing and what we were about. Referrals from other local outreaches/charities here in South Florida such as our churches, food pantries, Florida Keys Outreach Coalition and the Advocate Program (Veterans organization) started flowing in. Initially we just did our best to take care of those that showed up on our doorsteps as we had developed a lot of connections through our weekly program. We added things we could do immediately such as providing food, a shower, toiletries, employment referrals and temporary shelter. We then expanded this to delivering donated baked goods and other foods to sites where those experiencing homelessness congregate on a regular basis.
We also help those that are disabled or do not have the means to get to the VA Hospital or running other errands that they can't do easily on their own. We have helped Veterans get services the community offers, benefits they are entitled to, employment, programs to get their life back, shelter, food and dignity. We have discovered that if the statistics of 30 to 40% of the homeless population are Veterans the other 60 to 70% are children of Veterans for they were brought up in a severely dysfunctional household.
We do our best to ensure that everybody we encounter has what they came seeking whether it's counseling, a bite to eat, a place to lay their head for a night or a shoulder to lean on. Rest assured they all left with the same thing, dignity.
- Mentorship Program with 10 Challenges to self empowerment.
- TLWH is currently subsidizing gym memberships for Veterans, Macks gym in Key Largo, FL is pleased to accept memberships
- Bringing Veterans to swim with dolphins at Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder in Key Largo, FL (more info to come)
- Packing parties to send care packages overseas to the military
- Annual Veteran's Day Bike Ride
- Annual 4th of July Picnic honoring our military
- Subsidizing the Leatherneck Back Country fishing Program with Ben Trainer who takes veterans on therapeutic fishing trips for free. Contact Ben 305-570-9424, see story below
- Working to get sponsorships for veterans participation in Bike Ride and other events (see events page)
- Creating comradery within our communities, showing we are all in this together and supporting one another.
- Providing financial aid to Vets who want private counseling and qualify for that aid
- Guidance in getting the benefits they are entitled to
- Festivals to honor our veterans and their families with free food, prizes, games, entertainment, and more
Here is a note from Ben who runs an amazing fishing tour that The Long Walk Home supports financially:
"First month in the books for 2020 was our busiest month to date here in Islamorada Fl. We have opened our doors to many Veterans and their families already, and we are continuing our charitable Veterans R&R Fishing inc. trips plus accommodations right through 2020. We estimating this year will be our most trips provided yet with 110 rod days with accommodations in 2019. We have a few great new volunteer captains that want to help us take out even More Hero’s on trips of a life time. We did end up reaching our end of the year goal, to have a great friend and supporter double our year end goal, which he has pledged to do again this year. We were able to get the equipment, maintenance, licenses, insurance and upgrades we needed to start 2020 with out being in the negative. Just one month into the year our Veterans Trips are filling up fast and with our two major events in planning (Independence Day Veterans Festival) & (Three Day Everglades Camp) we need your support more then ever. Our Goal at Veterans R&R Fishing inc. is to make sure Veterans never feel forgotten and always have somewhere to turn. Thank you in advance for your support in 2020 please consider supporting our Veterans in anyway you can whether it be a donation, monthly support, or word of mouth. Thank you from all of us that Proudly Served."
Capt. Ben Trainer-Sgt. USMC
Leatherneck Backcountry Fishing LLC., Veterans R&R Fishing inc.
Contact: 305-570-9424
A sincere appreciation stated by Major Duane C. Stamm, USMC to "Military Matters" packing party & the firefighters of City of Seminole Fire Rescue Department, Seminole Fire Station #29.
"I would like to give a huge thank you to all you firefighters and to all of the first responders out there. Many people thank our veterans, but often forget to say thank you to all of you, and I can’t thank you enough. I say thank you to every one of you that I see in our society because when I deploy and am away from my family, I can’t fully concentrate on my mission without knowing you guys are here to protect them. If something should ever happen, I would always imagine I would be there, I would be the one protecting my family and protecting them, and getting them to safety. I really have a hard time being away because if something happened while I am away, I feel powerless, but having competent fire fighters, law enforcement officers, and paramedics, and all the first responders make me feel better and allow me to at least know that my family has a chance, so I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your devotion to duty and for keeping my family and me safe. Thanks so much."
~Duane C. Stamm
Donation given to "Leatherneck BackCountry Fishing" Ben Trainers Non-Profit Organization:
This heartwarming story is one reason why we support Ben Trainer's organization:
"I am a Viet Nam Veteran, whose story of others is similar. I was diagnosed with Stage IV Throat Cancer in December of 2017. Initially I was NOT going to go through the treatment protocol, ie, Chemo and Radiation. That’s when Ben came into my life through one of my closest friends and confidant, Danny Hanes. Ben was awesome, non judgmental, didn’t pry into my cancer thought process, only talked of great days in USMC and fishing. After two full days of fishing, I was calm enough to collect my thoughts regarding the cancer, the treatment, and most of all, My Family. Ben’s kindness allowed me the time and space to make the final decision to “fight” the cancer. As I departed from Ben, I told him I “would fight” the disease. But know this: I do not think I could have come to that decision without the time of “clarity”. What Ben does is nothing short of a miracle for Veterans in crisis. 15 months later and I am still here, and ever so grateful to Ben Trainer and Danny Hanes. My family, my wife and my life are grateful beyond mere words. Please help support this awesome man and the service he offers to those that have sacrificed so much !!!!"
~John Jamason (Contact Ben 305-570-9424)
Thank you for helping us in your continued support as we evolve in finding the most effective ways to facilitate others change their lives and the world. If you have suggestions on how we can be of service, let us know.
In the past our ultimate goal had been to build a gym free for Veterans as it has been proven that exercise helps heal PTSD and TBI. Also having owned and run a gym for over 20 years, Ron knows the benefit first hand as well as you need more then just exercise to accelerate the healing. Leading up to that goal, TLWH had leased a building with plans to convert it into a gym, but in the mean time we used it as a homeless shelter. What we learned over the 2 years we had this building offering assistance and weekly programs was that it would be more effective to partner with existing gyms and add other components to the exercise which are breathing and meditation. This will enable us to reach more service connected people faster and more efficiently. There are many ways to help form a supportive community, this is the way we chose to offer support.
When TLWH was renting a building in Key Largo, January 2015-December 2016, our outreach had evolved along with the initial mission. Early on, everything was about creating awareness until we began holding workshops in early 2014. These workshops grew in attendance and volunteers. We began to open them to all of the community. A presence was felt in the local community and many were starting to stop by to see what we were doing and what we were about. Referrals from other local outreaches/charities here in South Florida such as our churches, food pantries, Florida Keys Outreach Coalition and the Advocate Program (Veterans organization) started flowing in. Initially we just did our best to take care of those that showed up on our doorsteps as we had developed a lot of connections through our weekly program. We added things we could do immediately such as providing food, a shower, toiletries, employment referrals and temporary shelter. We then expanded this to delivering donated baked goods and other foods to sites where those experiencing homelessness congregate on a regular basis.
We also help those that are disabled or do not have the means to get to the VA Hospital or running other errands that they can't do easily on their own. We have helped Veterans get services the community offers, benefits they are entitled to, employment, programs to get their life back, shelter, food and dignity. We have discovered that if the statistics of 30 to 40% of the homeless population are Veterans the other 60 to 70% are children of Veterans for they were brought up in a severely dysfunctional household.
We do our best to ensure that everybody we encounter has what they came seeking whether it's counseling, a bite to eat, a place to lay their head for a night or a shoulder to lean on. Rest assured they all left with the same thing, dignity.
