PHWFF acquires passenger van through Graham Fund grant

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. (PHWFF) was recently selected by the Philip L. Graham Fund to receive a $30,000 grant.  The award is being used to purchase a GMC eight-passenger van to transport wounded warriors and disabled veterans when they participate in the PHWFF programs in the Washington, D.C. national capital area.

Named for the late publisher of The Washington Post and president of The Washington Post Company, the Philip L. Graham Fund devotes its resources to the betterment of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and the field of journalism.  The Fund awards several million dollars in grants annually to groups providing educational, social, community enrichment, and arts programs and services to communities in and around Washington, D.C.  The Fund also supports efforts to foster improvements nationally in the field of journalism.

The passenger van will allow PHWFF staff and volunteers greater flexibility in scheduling outings and getting participants where they need to be. It will also be beneficial in transporting all the gear needed for fishing outings and events.

“We are grateful to the Philip L. Graham Fund for recognizing the important work we do,” stated Ed Nicholson, Captain, U.S. Navy (Ret.), founder of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. and Vice-Chairman, Board of Trustees. “Their generous donation will help us manage our time and resources more effectively as we work with the VA and Warrior Transition Units to help the individuals who need our support during their recovery.”   

Since 2005, PHWFF volunteers have been teaching the therapeutic and rehabilitative art of fly tying and fly fishing to wounded warriors and disabled veterans. Through regularly scheduled program activities, participants practice techniques to improve their motor skills, learn to cope with psychological issues, and gain the self confidence they need to overcome new challenges in their lives.

“The wounded warriors and disabled veterans who participate in our fly tying and fly fishing program, are America’s finest,” commented Craig A. Peterson, BG, U.S. Army (Ret.) and executive vice president of PHWFF.  He continued by saying, “They served with pride and distinction, yet many are now struggling to relearn some basic life skills. This passenger van we’re buying through the generosity of the Philip L. Graham Fund will help us make a difference and provide better service to America’s veterans and injured warriors.”   

“The addition of a brand new van for PHWFF to use in the National Capital area will be a huge help to the organization,” says David Folkerts, the PHWFF National Capital regional coordinator. He added, “The van has room to transport eight persons and haul all the gear needed for all fishing outings and activities”. In the first year alone PHWFF plans on using the van for 30 plus events and outings.

PHWFF would like to thank Ed Felker of Mayfly-Design http://mayfly-design.com/ for providing the design for the artwork wrap on the van. It is very eye catching with the pictures of PHWFF participants fly fishing. Wherever the PHWFF van is parked, it is usually the centerpiece of attention and sparks conversation about PHWFF, which provides new opportunities for people to learn about PHWFF.