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Founder of ‘Reel American Heroes’ honored
MANASSAS, Va. — Ron DeFreitas, a Prince William County member of Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative, has received the 2016 Good Samaritan Award from the electric cooperatives of Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. The Woodbridge, Virginia, resident received this award for establishing the Reel American Heroes Foundation (RAHF), an organization that provides resources and equipment to wounded and disabled veterans so that they can enjoy fishing.
DeFreitas formed the 501c (3) organization in 2010 after volunteering at a local “Take a Vet Fishing” event, where he says he was inspired by a double-amputee veteran’s incredible outlook on life. Wishing to give back, DeFreitas says he began working with area military hospitals and bases to give servicemen from the nation’s armed forces the opportunity to get on the water for both fun and competition.
The Foundation’s first bass tournament benefited two dozen combat veterans. Area boaters pitched in to help. The program has since grown; last year’s tournament involved more than 100 active-duty and retired veterans. Volunteer boaters from around the country and four BASS Elite series professionals, including John Crews of Virginia, provided assistance.
“At each tournament sponsored by Reel American Heroes, participants receive free gear they can take home and use to continue pursuing this sport, including tournament-quality rods, reels, tackle and fishing bait, a tackle box and even sunglasses,” said Nelson Zapata, a disabled veteran who learned about RAHF in 2014.
Each veteran is paired with an experienced angler who can help teach skills needed to fish for fun or for competition.
Reel American Heroes events have been featured on nationally televised fishing shows, including Timmy
Horton Outdoors and Kim Stricker’s Hook n’ Look.
The coverage has highlighted work by Foundation supporters, who have developed and are in the process of patenting a fishing system for one-armed anglers. Increasing public awareness has also helped DeFreitas organize a Team RAHF, which gives local veterans individual fishing sessions year-round.
The Good Samaritan Award was developed to honor individuals whose body of good work has been so selfless and life-changing to others that it is held up as a “gold standard” of philanthropic community service.
Larry Howdyshell, board chairman of the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives (VMDAEC), noted, “Because of efforts such as Reel American Heroes, more wounded and disabled veterans than ever are facing the future with confidence and hope.”
Richard Johnstone, VMDAEC executive vice president, added, “Ron exemplifies the seventh cooperative principle of concern for community. We are proud to recognize his inspirational leadership that has made such a difference for our nation’s servicemen and women.”
Award nominations were solicited from members of the 15 electric cooperatives that serve residents in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. DeFreitas’ daughter, Ashley Gardner, who currently serves as RAHF’s executive director, nominated her father for the award.
About VMDAEC
Founded in 1944, VMDAEC is the trade association for 15 consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperatives that serve Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. The Glen Allen, Va.-based Association provides its member cooperatives with safety education and training, government relations, legislative support, and communications services, including the publishing of Cooperative Living magazine. For more information, visit www.vmdaec.com or www.co-opliving.com.
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