Save Our Native Species Inc.
S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie Fishing Club
(A 501 C (3) not for profit organization)

S.O.N.S. Take Vets Out Fishing

VETERANS-- THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

Several years ago the Pennsylvania Legislature enacted the Small Games of Chance Program that allows social clubs to do fund raising by selling raffle tickets, tip boards, bingo games and other small games of chance on the condition that a portion of the proceeds be donated to non-profit organizations like the S.O.N.S. Over the years we have been a beneficiary of these donations. Some of these donations to us come from veterans clubs like the VFW and the American Legion. We have set aside these contributions and working with other organizations like Veteran’s Administration Hospital, the Soldiers and Sailors Home and others we have sponsored free fishing trips for our brave military veterans.  In 2024 we sponsored 3 separate fishing outings.

ELKS Club Veteran's Picnic

On June 19, 2024 a group of veterans from the Veteran's Outreach Center  came out to Presque Isle to fish in the East Waterworks pond and to enjoy a picnic lunch provided y the Elks Club of Erie. SONS Volunteers helped the vets,some in wheelchairs helped the vets from the deck of the floating fishing platform on the pond. The fish that they caught werequiye small but nevertheless they had a good time

VETS FISHING TRIP ABOARD THE PERCH PIRATE

On July 23, 2024  a group of military veterans from Erie Veterans Medical Center and the Vets Center enjoyed a fishing trip on Lake Erie aboard the Perch Pirate head boat. The trip sponsored by the SONS of Lake Erie fishing club. This sponsorship has been a long standing tradition of our club. We set aside donations we receive from veterans' social clubs such as the American Legion and the VFW and use the money exclusively to sponsor these fishing outings and other activities There was were some nice fish caught on what was a beautiful summer day. The participants were provide lunch on board.After the boat docked they all osed for a group photo.

You can email us at sonslakeri@aol.com if you would like to participate in future outings

Veterans Fishing July 30, 2024

The SONS of Lake Erie has over 2500 members spread throughout the country many of whom are military veterans which give us a complete admiration and respect for the sacrifices of our vets. In appreciation for their service we sponsor fishing trips for their enjoyment. On July 30,2024 we organized another trip. Twenty One veterans from our local Veterans Administration facility and the Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors home joined a group of our volunteers at the ferry dock on Presque Isle State Park. There they boarded the JoAnn M which is owned and operated by the At the Lake Ministries branch of the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church.

An excerpt from the Ministries web site best describes the program--“At The Lake Ministries offers people living with disabilities and their caregivers a fun, family-oriented experience aboard The Jo-Ann M on Lake Erie and/or Presque Isle Bay. Participants can fish or simply experience the wonderful natural resources the region has to offer. The Jo-Ann M is wheelchair friendly with a ramp to board the boat and removable seats to accommodate for any wheelchair size.” For more information visit the site at https://www.atthelakeministries.org/about.html.

The trip was commenced with a brief prayer and blessing prior to boarding the vessel. July 30  sunny and warm but there were storms in the area so Captain Rob Wilson who is also a minister, piloted the JoAnn M, a converted former fish tug, onto Presque Isle Bay for a boat tour of Erie's magnificent waterfront. Choppy conditions on Lake Erie forced the Captain to pilot the boat into the Presque Isle Marina for calmer water and easier fishing. Most veterans caught pan fish in the marina. After the trip the vets and crew posed for a group picture. Polling the veterans we were told that they had a good time. After the trip all of the veterans and their caregivers were treated to a picnic at the PI cook house.