Through the support of our tournament anglers and families, Angler Armory has donated over $50,000 in cash plus a ton of food and toys
to the local charities that we support!
Take a moment to learn more about these great charities:
Reeling Freedom: “When I retired in 2014, I was blessed to be able to buy a beautiful offshore fishing boat. My Wife, and Father fished with me two to three times a week. We would always see veterans on the causeway or on the docks. One day I said, “how cool would it be to pull up and say, Lets go, and take random veterans fishing”. We did this for over a year until my wife recommended, we turn it into a non-Profit and seek Sponsors. The rest is history” – Paul Gage, retired USMC and CEO of Reeling Freedom
– Reeling Freedom is Owned and Operated by Paul and Danielle Gage
– Paul is a 22 Year Marine Corps Veteran with seven Combat Tours
– Reeling Freedom was established in 2015 and became a 501(c)(3) non-Profit in 2017.
-In 2018 Reeling Freedom Ran an average of 12 Free Veteran Charters a Month, 144 total for the year
-in 2019 Reeling Freedom has a goal to provide 250 Free Charters to Veterans and First Responders.
Reeling Freedom operates primarily on a SeaHunt Gamefish 27 with Twin Yamaha Motors. The Boat has been amazing, but it is time to Move up in order to accommodate more veterans at a time on a trip. Last month we ran a trip with seven firefighters, the Captain and First Mate, 9 Pax on the RF Boat and caught 12 King Fish. The Trip was amazing but a little tight.
The SeaHunt is also not setup with enough space IOT hold a wheel chair, we do have local captains with pontoons that take wheel chaired veterans inshore for us as we never want to turn anyone down.
We purchase inshore charters from Local Charter Captains in order to put more vets on the water. Everyone that is a part of Reeling Freedom Works Full time and operates Reeling Freedom on a volunteer basis. Reeling Freedom is 100% Paid out to the Mission or Putting Vets on the water. No one takes a pay check from the Foundation.
Reeling Freedom is operated by Four Key People and a bunch of Family Members.
– Paul Gage Retired US Marine is the CEO and Founder of Reeling Freedom. Paul Grew up in Norther Vermont, Paul Joined the Marine Corps in 1992 and Retired in 2014. Paul and Danielle Live in Palm Harbor Florida.
– Danielle Gage is the President of Reeling Freedom and manages all events for Reeling Freedom as well as the Day to Day Operations. Danielle is from San Diego Ca and has been Married to Paul Since 1994.
-Captain Gene Hammond is the Chief of Operations. Capt Gene is an Army Veteran and resides in New Port Richie.
-Amy Lockhart is the Newest addition to the Reeling Freedom Foundation. Amy Came out of no where and has been a huge asset for gaining sponsors. Amy is the Director of Sponsorships at Reeling Freedom
-We have a lot of Family that supports us at every event as well. Shelbi Gage (Daughter & RN), Brett Torrens (Soon to be Son-Inlaw & Tampa FireFighter), Meagan Barrows (Paul’s Sister, & RN), Cody Gage (Son, Magic Tilt Trailers).
- Veterans that want to take advantage of the Program can go onto ReelingFreedom.com and sign up there. We Sponsor a lot of events throughout the year and give out as many charters as we can financially afford to.
- Reeling Freedom also supports Local Law Enforcement and First Responders. We are in contact with Many Doctors that Recommend our Program to Responders that have PTSD issues like your veterans do, Fishing is Theropy…
Paul’s Military Decorations are:
Meritorious Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal (2)
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
Iraq Campaign Medal (2)
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Nato Medal-ISAF Afghanistan
Global war on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Combat Action Ribbon
Sea Service Deployment (7)
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4)
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (5)
Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2)
Honor Off Road: This Veteran run 501(c)3 off road club “is committed to bettering our communities through volunteer events and fundraising, while at the same time sharing our passion for off-road adventures with others. Their efforts are centered around Suicide Awareness and Prevention
Tighten the Drag Foundation: To extend the opportunity for recovery and a better quality of life for those who have suffered a life changing Spinal Cord Injury as a result of an accident that resulted in paralysis. Every year in the United States, between 250,000 and 400,000 people suffer spinal cord injuries. Their road to recovery is long. The average newly injured person with a spinal cord injury will incur 2.9 million dollars in medical costs in their first year. The average yearly medical costs after the first year can be $400,000 up to $750,000 depending on the level of injury. You can help by donating today. Your dollars will help to provide relief for rehabilitative costs for these individuals. www.tightenthedragfoundation.org
Santa’s Angels: Their mission is to raise funds through community events and donations to help local families and children. Their goal is to give back to the community in the true spirit of Christmas by bringing holiday joy to deserving children in Pinellas County. They were able to donate toys to 270 children and food baskets to 40 children this past Christmas. www.santasangels.org
The Kind Mouse Productions Inc: Their mission is to assist families in transition and their chronically hungry children while developing the next generation of volunteers to carry on the mission of The Kind Mouse. No hardworking individual should ever feel despair due to economic hardships beyond their control. Everyone has a right to feel safe and secure in their own homes, and no one should ever go hungry. In 2016 they provided 12,397 hungry students with food on the weekends. They also served over 100 families with their 90 day program, providing food, houseware, pet food and career coaching. www.thekindmouse.org
Operation: Military Matters was started in November 2015, as part of a fourth grade school gifted project by nine-year-old Graci Tubbs.
After hearing and seeing veterans speak at a school Veterans Day assembly, Graci felt the need to support our military and let the men and women sacrificing their lives for us, know people back home cared about them. What started out as a school project collecting supplies from the community and sending care packages from home to the military overseas grew into a nonprofit. In December 2016, Operation: Military Matters became a corporation and a 501 (c) (3).
Today, Graci speaks to civic organizations and the military to let them know about OMM. Her efforts help raise support and donations to continue sending care packages overseas to our military. She collects: toiletry items, shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, snacks, hard candy, wipes, games, instant coffee, creamer, romen noodles, beef jerky, tuna or salmon packs, tea, gallon zip lock bags, hand lotion, trail mix, socks etc. To find out more go to www.operationmilitarymatters.com
Madeira Beach Youth Baseball & Softball: They are a youth baseball/softball organization for children 16 and under. www.madbeachball.com