My journey with Reel Life Adventures started a little over a year ago when I was attending college at Northwest Florida State.  I was assigned to write a persuasive essay on a charity of my choice, so I went online and searched for hours before I came across Reel Life Adventures. Needless to say, I did not have to look any further.  The two things in life that my parents taught me was to always “give back,” and, of course, fishing!  After realizing that RLA was something I wanted to be apart of, I transferred to Birmingham, AL and started getting involved.

In the past, I had participated in a few community service projects and helped with fundraisers at my church, but I had never been on a mission trip, let alone out of the country.  In the summer of 2010, I went on my first RLA trip to the Dominican Republic with several other guys, including Charlie Levine, senior editor of Marlin Magazine and Jose Webeje of “Spanish Fly.”  During the trip, I not only made some great new friendships, but I also gained a new perspective on life and realized how the Lord was guiding me to help others.  One of our projects involved re-building a house for a young mother with 6 children.  Being able to put a stable roof over those children was the best feeling in the world.  It’s amazing how one week helping impoverished families, playing with kids, and doing the Lord’s work can change a person!  To top off the trip, I was able to catch and release my first blue marlin!

Almost a year later, I am planning my second RLA trip and serving as President of the Junior Board.  Using my passion for fishing to help RLA, I’m also serving on the Tournament Booth committee where we work to raise money and recruit more people to get involved and give back to those in extreme need.

Funding received by Reel Life Adventures is strategically allocated in order to generate the greatest long-term results. Specifically, we partner with local Christian organizations in various countries engaged in providing meaningful assistance to children and families suffering from extreme need. There are several components of Reel Life Adventures that make it a very attractive charity to support.  Because our overhead is privately funded, 100% of every dollar we receive goes directly to benefit those in need.  Our strategy is to serve as a conduit, aligning only with proven and established organizations which are among the very best in terms of both effectiveness and efficiency. RLA also employs the most modern thinking and strategic concepts for providing sustainable assistance to impoverished communities.  Through our Adventure Trips, we also play a valuable role in the area of oversight.  The leadership, strategy and effectiveness of our partner organizations are continually monitored so that you can be assured that your donations are used to generate the greatest results.  Our trips also allow donors the opportunity to see exactly how their financial support is making a difference and direct their giving to specific projects or children.  Many witness first-hand the lives which are forever changed by their acts of kindness and generosity. 

We each have a desire for significance and for our life to be filled with work which outlives us. RLA provides an incredible opportunity to do just that by changing lives and impacting future generations.  You are invited to leave a legacy by joining us in strategic, results-driven work!  Invest your time, treasure and talent today and “Let Your Adventure Outlive You!”

Note: Donations are never used for fishing or any other recreational expense.

For Immediate Release: Contact Michael O’Neal | (205) 370-1827 | theonealgroup@yahoo.com

Marlin University Donates Trip To Reel Life Adventures

Winter Park, Florida — Any big-game angler that has ever dreamed of attending a session of Marlin University, but said they couldn’t afford it… Well, now you can. For the price of just $100 you can buy one of 150 raffle tickets for the fishing trip of a lifetime.

Marlin University donated a spot on its upcoming Guatemala roster to the nonprofit group Reel Life Adventures. The trip is valued at $4,900 and covers all of your basic expenses, including five nights hotel accommodations, four full days of fishing out of the legendary Casa Vieja Lodge, meals and nightly seminars. The trip takes place May 10-15, 2011.  Raffle tickets go on sale December 1 and are available on Reel Life's website at www.reellifeadventures.org. Buy a ticket for yourself or pick one up as a holiday gift for the fisherman in your family.

Guatemala is home to the world’s best sailfish bite. With up to 20 shots a day, these calm Pacific waters provide the perfect backdrop to learn the intricacies of the bait-and-switch technique. The lucky winner will fish side-by-side with Marlin U instructors, Peter B. Wright and Dave Ferrell, as well as Casa Vieja’s top captains, including Ron Hamlin and Chris Sheeder.

“For a big-game angler, going to Marlin University is like going to the Super Bowl,” says Michael O’Neal, founder of Reel Life Adventures.

Any traveling angler that has visited Central America has seen the poverty that exists right outside of some of the world’s best fishing destinations. Reel Life Adventures, a not-for-profit 501c3 organization, puts together humanitarian trips that help children and families living in such impoverished areas. After a week of hard work, whether it be building homes, orphanages, English schools or distributing water filters and hospital supplies, the Reel Life crew takes to the water and goes fishing. It’s a very successful formula that has brought the sport-fishing world more in touch with helping those in need.

“If you want to make a difference for future generations, you must start with the kids,” O’Neal says. “It’s about giving them a hand up, not a hand out.”

For more information on Marlin University, visit www.marlinuniversity.com or contact Barbara Lehner at 888-281-5720 ext. 4606 or Barbara.Lehner@bonniercorp.com.

For a printable version of this press release, click here.