Volunteer organization offers free fishing trips to military members

Nov 14 is Military Appreciation Day

Everybody knows this is Thanksgiving month, and many South Carolina outdoorsmen are looking forward to a little time off work to spend with family, and of course in the outdoors. But a major fishing event taking place in Charleston this month is the first of its kind in South Carolina.

November 14 is the date of the first MAD Charleston event. MAD, or Military Appreciation Day, is a free day of fishing for military members, and it’s made possible through the services of volunteer boat captains, fishing guides, mates, cooks, shuttle drivers, and a host of other behind-the-scenes duties.

MAD has been in existence for several years, and while many of the same volunteers that will be helping with this event have helped at the Southport, NC and Morehead City, NC events in previous years, this is the first MAD event to be held in the Palmetto State.

MAD was formed to give back to those who give so much for the freedoms we all enjoy thanks to the unselfish service and sacrifice made by military members. MAD is proud of the fact that in 20 events over multiple cities, military members have paid a grand total of $0 for their fishing activities, which include both inshore and offshore trips.

This record is only made possible by the number of volunteers who give everything from cash donations, to coffee and donuts, to charter services that would cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousands of dollars, depending on the distance and amount of fuel used on each trip.

If you are currently on active duty or a member of the national guard or reserves, make plans to attend MAD Charleston on Nov 14. As a token of their appreciation to our military, the SCDNR is giving fishing license waivers to all military participants, as long as they have their military ID on hand during the Nov. 14 event.

Rivers Edge Marina is the host site. All details such as meeting times can be viewed here.

If you own a boat and would like to volunteer to take troops fishing on Nov 14, click here.

To donate money, click here, and to lend a hand in a variety of other ways, click here.