In the summer of 2003, fresh out of college I was given the opportunity of a lifetime to live in Australia for 3 months while extending my baseball career in the land down under.
What an experience it was, as I fell in love with the country, the people and just about everything about Australia. The people were so giving, so helpful and accepting of this big, goofy and loud American boy on an extended international walkabout. To this day I have close friends there and cant wait to go back someday.
With the knowledge that the Australian continent was under duress from unprecedented fires, it was time to step up and help raise funds to help those in need in my former host country.
Taking the template of the highly successful #dozenfordorian campaign that raised over $42,000 in little over a month for victims of hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas, anglers and fly tiers have banded together to launch #DOZENFORDOWNUNDER.
With 2 days in the books, we're going to break $4000 raised and it's only going to go up from there. Close to 60 contributors have reached out to pledge there fly creations, guided trips, artwork, photography and so much more. I can only anticipate it's going to grow exponentially in the weeks to come.
The program is mostly Instagram based, and while there simply search the tag #dozenfordownunder and you'll find all the offerings available to bid on.
If you want to contribute, host your own mini auction on your instagram page, set a starting bid, and end date and away you go.
All funds will initially go to the Yellow Dog Community and Conservation Fund to start as we'll find the appropriate channels in Australia with input from trusted sources in the fishing community in country that can help the greater good as well as individuals who have had their lives effected and work in the fishing/guiding industry.
Thanks so much in advance, I hope you can be a part of this amazing community experience!
