Finding Strides at Pure Fishing

By 7017444915 December 23, 2025
For the entire beginning of his life, Luke lived life on the floor. We met him on our fourth distribution day in Kenya. His arrival at the site was quiet, but his story spoke volumes. Luke, 11, lives with cerebral palsy. Before he was brought to a children’s home for the disabled, he had endured years of neglect. He was tied up, unable to move around, and kept inside his home so his disability would remain hidden. When they found him, he was emaciated, in constant pain, and X-rays revealed a broken hip that had gone untreated for years. His caregiver, Don, brought Luke to our distribution site for the first wheelchair he has ever owned. Fitting his chair took more than two hours, but Luke smiled through every moment of it. He seemed to understand that his world was opening up for the first time. During the fitting, one of our team members stayed by Luke’s side, comforting him. She shared, “I spent a lot of time with him, praying and singing and just stroking the side of his face. And I think that’s one of the things that really got me, I don’t think he’s had much human contact. He would just lean into me, wanting me to keep going, and he grabbed at my hands like he didn’t want to let go.” Every wheelchair you help provide becomes a turning point - a chance for a child to sit upright for the first time, attend school, join their peers, or simply experience life beyond the walls where they were once hidden. For Luke, it meant being seen, supported, and cared for in ways he had never known. This Christmas season, you can give the gift of mobility and change a life forever. Your support ensures that the most vulnerable are not forgotten and brings dignity and hope to children who have endured far too much. Luke is not alone — children like him are waiting across the world. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” — Matthew 25:40 You can change a life today. Every gift brings light into the darkness and gives children like Luke a future filled with possibility. Thank you for giving children like Luke, and so many others, a chance at dignity and hope. If you wish to contribute, please CLICK HERE to donate today. We are deeply grateful for your support and prayers as we continue our mission to serve and uplift those in need.
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Changes at work can be difficult and may involve tough transitions. But for the Hope Haven clients who previously worked at Echo Plus in Spirit Lake the changeover from working at the Echo Plus building to working at Pure Fishing has been largely positive. Nancy Brewer Lead Group Supportive Employment notes that the crew finds pride in where they work “They say ‘I work at Pure Fishing’ now.” Nancy’s role is to supervise and lead the group who made this transition from Echo Plus.  

The majority of the group who now work at Pure Fishing were previously part of the Facility Based Employment Model which ended under Iowa legislation this year. The main responsibility in this part of the Pure Fishing factory is quality control and restoration for rods and reels that come from returns departments across the country. Some of the returned products only possess small defects or issues that are easily remedied. Crew members determine if a product is eligible for restoration while damaged items are dissembled and removed from the process.  

Next eligible products are then cleaned restored and sent to Fisherman’s Factory Outlet for sale.  Additional projects arise throughout the week like labeling or packaging new product. Nancy remarks that the group loves the variety that extra projects like this provide and the opportunity to hone new skills that they bring.  

“The opportunity in May 2018 for Hope Haven to begin to operate a group supported employment crew at Pure Fishing has grown an already excellent partnership between our two companies ” says Scott Witte Director of Employment Services. “When observing the operations it is readily apparent that work crew members and Hope Haven staff love their work.  The crew feels supported by Pure Fishing staff and the company values their contributions to the business.” 

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