Rotary hears about HOFNOD
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ELKINS -- Owen Peet, facility manager at the Phil Gainer Center and member of the Elkins Rotary Club, spoke to the group about the HOFNOD (Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs) expo which then took place May 10 at the Center.
The program was started 20 years ago by the Future Fisherman Foundation and uses angling skill development as a gateway to teach youth about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and how to deal with the challenges facing them in their young lives.
The Elkins HOFNOD event is held each spring and promotes outdoor recreation while educating local youth about the dangers of drug use.
The event is completely free for all attendees, children and adults alike.
"Nothing costs any money. There are free prizes and all events such as a climbing wall, archery tag and gemstone mining. The DNR is providing a huge fishing tank that will have live fish species for the kids to learn. It is combining education, love for the outdoors while pushing kids away from drugs," said Peet. "In this area, this event is much more important because it relates to our local identity."
Peet has worked with HOFNOD since 2022 and many local organizations participate in HOFNOD. This year, the local U.S. Forest Service and West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, along with many others, hosted more than 20 educational booths for those who join in the festivities. Unfortunately, due to recent cuts in governmental agencies, there were fewer participants in this year's HOFNOD than in the past.
Peet emphasized that this event is all about the kids.
"It's not about advertising, it's all rooted in the idea that it's for the kids," commented Peet. "It's all about the kids and we want the kids to feel that when they're at the event." It is anticipated that approximately 1,000 children will attend the expo. Among the presenters for the day were representatives of law enforcement and youth health organizations.
Joe Danger from WDNE radio appeared at the expo and, according to Peet, served as the "HOFNOD Santa" this year. Danger worked with the kids and the prize awards. In addition to the individual prizes for the children, approximately 600 fishing poles were given to those attending the event, and two lifetime hunting and fishing licenses were also be given away during the event.
Volunteers are always needed to help with the planning and running of the event, including this year's event. The Elkins organization was recognized as an official non-profit organization since 2023, which now allows them to apply for grants and offer the benefit of a tax-deductible donation to the various sponsors of the event.
Among this year's sponsors of the event are Elkins Fordland, Reckart Logistics, Inc., Mike Ross and the Randolph County Commission.
"We're really excited. We do think that it is something that's so key to our community and I think it's an education aspect that needs to be promoted to our youth and the generation that is to come," concluded Peet.
More information about HOFNOD can be found at the Phil Gainer Community Center website (https://www.philgainercommunitycenter.com) or by calling Peet at 304-591-1410.
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change -- across the globe, in their communities, and in themselves. Visit www.Rotary.org to learn more about Rotary International, visit the club's Facebook page -- Rotary Club of Elkins -- or contact club president Tammie Rizzio at tammierizzio@gmail.com for more information about the Rotary Club of Elkins.