Spotlight on Success

SFC Daniel Dolan and SFC Jim Doud

SFC Daniel Dolan and SFC Jim Doud of the VA National Guard Drug Demand Reduction Unit have mentored 50 children over the past 4 years. Although they speak and run fishing skills clinics for hundreds of children, they work with a core group of students over an entire school year to change their lives. The children learn the importance of setting goals, communicating meaningfully with others, making positive life choices, and making a pledge to remain drug-free for a lifetime; however, they learn these valuable lessons while learning and practicing fishing skills.

Hooked On Fishing — Not On Drugs® (HOFNOD) makes a difference. SFC Dolan reports, "A few years ago, I worked with a group of 4th graders and they completed the program and the summer passed. I went back to the school to set up the next group of kids for the HOFNOD program. While I was in the office, a young girl who was in the program the preceding year came up to me and gave me a hug. She told me that she carried her card with her everywhere she went and she pulled out her Hooked On Fishing — Not On Drugs pledge card."

"We have seen positive changes emerging from these students as noted both by their teachers and their parents," commented an elementary school principal. "The messages of increased ability to make better decisions, such as avoiding drug use, and increased self-esteem, have been so valuable to these students."

A young participant wrote in a letter, "I really like to thank you for teaching me to be Hooked On Fishing — Not On Drugs. I enjoyed it (the HOFNOD program) while it lasted, if you ever need me, I'll be waiting!" The letter was signed, "Your Strong-Minded Fisher."

The children in the HOFNOD program in Virginia receive the fishing equipment they need to learn and practice fishing both during the school year in which they are mentored and they learn the importance of being proud of oneself and one's decisions which will carry them for a lifetime. A teacher of two of the children who participated wrote, "I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for my students. Every time you come they are so excited about what they are going to do that day…..Neither of them have solid male role models in their lives. I thank having someone do a program of this nature is a wonderful opportunity. I wish all of my students could be involved because I believe that they would all benefit from this. I have seen improvement in their attitudes towards work and themselves….I hope this wonderful program continues."

For more information on the Hooked On Fishing — Not On Drugs® program as implemented by the Virginia National Guard, contact SFC Daniel Dolan at daniel.dolan@us.army.mil.

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Joe Fuschetti — Ensign Intermediate School, CA

A grant recipient during the 2004/2005 school year, Joe Fuschetti started with a modest goal of teaching fresh and saltwater fishing skills to his seventh and eighth grade PE students. By the end of the spring term, his fishing skills unit had turned into a community-wide effort that reached more the 200 kids.

With the help of a multitude of organizations, Joe was able to turn what was designed as a three week lesson plan into a multi-year adventure.

"When we started, I had some ideas about possible guest speakers and who I might approach for help with the program. I really had no clue how positively everyone would respond and how huge an undertaking this would become!"

Joe's exemplary unit combined both the hands-on instruction of fresh and saltwater fishing skills with various guest speakers from within the fishing community and multiple on-water field trips. Guest speakers represented organizations such as Shimano, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Orange County Fly Fishing Club, the California Department of Fish and Game, Hubbs Sea World, Trout Unlimited, and Friends of Rollo.

In addition to the myriad of guest speakers, Joe was able to drum up community interest in his program by getting the promoting Ensign's program via local media outlets. Appearances in printed press including The Los Angeles Times, Western Outdoor News, the Orange County Register, on local AM Radio 1090, and on local Comcast Cable Television further garnered goodwill for Ensign's fishing program.

"The key to creating awareness about a program like this is to just get on the horn and get the word out. The teachers who receive these grants need to realize that there are a ton of people in the community that are willing to help out. They're just waiting to be asked."

To contact Joe in regards to his ground-breaking PE fishing instruction, email javajoe@cox.net.

Daniel Dolan & Jim Doud

Joe Fuschetti

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