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Steward of the Week: The Gregers
By FishRecycler | February 1, 2012
Daryl and Cathy Greger consider themselves to be “average people.” After reading this, I’ll let you be the judge of that.
They consider their enjoyment of the outdoors to be contagious. The Gregers also believe the little things matter.
“In the same way,” they tell me, “We believe that what we do to help Recycled Fish matters, because what we as a group are accomplishing and what we will accomplish matters.”
Both Daryl and Cathy volunteer for Recycled Fish, and have for years. They have been married for eight years, retired for five, and make their free time available to a cause they sincerely believe in. The Gregers have taped stewardship education cards to hand warmers, packed S.A.F.E Angling Kits with their grandchildren, and worked Recycled Fish booths at events like the Bass Pro Shops Spring Classic, River City Hunting, Fishing, RV & Boat Show.
“For Recycled Fish, we fill in on any odd shift that could need more volunteer help,” they explained.
Daryl and Cathy know that what they do makes a difference. The Gregers keep Recycled Fish literature in their car, talk to many people about being stewards of our waters, and pick up trash whenever they fish.
As they explained, “People are less likely to litter a clean area.”
The Gregers love to fish and camp and are able to travel across the nation, visiting waters from Canada to Florida. One thing mentioned multiple times to me when discussing what they love to do, was Daryl’s knack for telling stories.
According to Cathy, “People smile when they hear Daryl tell about our adventures and they can picture themselves doing something similar.”
Daryl and Cathy rattled off a list of states they regularly visit to fish and camp. They include Colorado, Missouri, Arkansas, Florida, Nebraska, Arizona, Minnesota, and more! Every other year Daryl travels to Canada with his son and grandson. The Gregers hit the road last winter to help out Recycled Fish at the Okoboji Hardwater Open. They regularly share their passion for the outdoors with children, hosting youth fishing clinics for the cause.
While at a recent Recycled Fish get-together, I recalled Cathy being asked about her first tackle box. After hearing it, she was asked to put it on video. Click here to listen to Cathy’s “Tackle Box Testimony.”
Recently, Daryl created Drop in the Bucket fundraising games for Recycled Fish events. He adapted our popular Plink-O style learning game to a table-top size that allows people to drop in coins and learn a lesson about how our lifestyle runs downstream.
Cathy spent her working career as a bookkeeper and since retiring, has focused those skills on her favorite nonprofit organization, doing the books for Recycled Fish!
As the Gregers explained, “We spend a lot of time enjoying the outdoors that Recycled Fish is working to preserve!”
They tell me that they have learned a lot about fishing from their Recycled Fish friends and also about being stewards of the earth. I have a feeling that those who have had the pleasure of meeting Mr. and Mrs. Greger have shared the same sentiment.
“The process of getting involved is amazing,” they stated. “Recycled Fish is a very open, casual and goal oriented group. It is very refreshing and maybe even a little surprising to work with such a congenial group of dedicated people.”
I think that’s very well said, especially considering the subjects of this article fit that profile to a “T”.
“We are dedicated to making the world a better place.”
So what do you think? Do the Gregers sound like “average people” to you?
- Josh Milczski
Topics: Recycled Fish, Steward of the Week | Comments Off
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