Bell Employee

Travis Smith, Virtual Bank Service Supervisor

Fargo

Recipient

The Outdoor Adventure Foundation

The Need

The Outdoor Adventure Foundation provides hunting and fishing adventures for children and young adults with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses and for combat-disabled veterans under age 40 who are wheelchair-bound or have lost a limb during active service.

The adventures include small- and big-game hunts, fishing trips and all-inclusive family trips to sporting events and Disney World. The foundation provides everything the recipients need, including meals transportation and guides. They will even provide an off-road wheelchair for those who need it, and they have many of the participants’ trophies mounted.

“Our adventures are the biggest dream come true for some of our recipients,” Brian notes.

The Impact

The Outdoor Adventure Foundation is a volunteer-run nonprofit organization that relies on donations and sponsorships.

Travis Smith has given his Pay It Forward funds to the foundation for the last 2 years, and he’s become a committee member so he can help raise funds and awareness for the group.

“It’s a great feeling to hear how a special harness can allow a veteran who lost his arm in an explosion reel in the large walleye, or to know the child who eventually lost his fight with a terminal illness still had an opportunity like this,” Travis remarks. “There are few things I am truly passionate about, and the outdoors tops my short list. To be given the ability to help others enjoy them like I do is an honor.”

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