A destination for outdoors shopping is giving back to the community. Cabela’s in Tilden Twp. is giving money collected by customers to local organizations connected to conservation.
A check and gift presentation happened Thursday outside of the store that is known for its elaborate display of the wild outdoors.
“We donate anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500,” said General Manager Ed Bartolotta when speaking about how much money each organization is receiving.
Two checks were presented with money gathered through the store’s Outdoor Fund. One was given to Fallen Outdoors.
“Our goal is to get veterans back into the outdoors,” said Brian Cooper, treasurer for Fallen Outdoors. “We could use it to purchase fishing rods, camping gear, any sort of hunting gear.”
The other check was given to the PA Disabled Hunters Program.
“We provide a fully paid experience for the hunters. We pay the outfitters, we pay for the licenses, we pay for the transportation to and from the hunt,” explained Daniel Smoker, chairman for the Disabled Hunters Program.
On site to “reel” in a special gift was the Olivet Boys & Girls Club of Reading. Representatives accepted a handshake and a barrel of fishing rods that were collected and refurbished from customer trade ins.
The rods will go to city kids attending summer camp.
“One of the things they do each time they are at our Blue Mountain Camp., among other things, is fish,” said director Richard Bradbury of The Olivet Boys & Girls Club of Reading.
None of the donations would be possible without the generous customers at Cabela’s. If you would like to help, just go to the checkout and ask “to round up today.”
“Our great outdoors men and women are the folks that all make this happen and we appreciate them more than words can express,” said Bartolotta.