About Us

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018-2023

Today

is when it all began. Salmon for Soldiers founders Rob Endsley, Penny Shelton and Randy Shelton discussed hosting a fishing event to give back to our Veterans and Active-Duty Military. Rob, a retired Washington State River fishing guide, Randy, an Army Veteran and Penny tagged the name 'Salmon for Soldiers' for the event and off it went. The first several months started with informal meetings with the local fishing community and fishing organizations leveraging support. The first milestone was held on August 10th for a one-day event at the Port of Everett. It was very well attended with 77 volunteer boaters hosting 125 Veterans. By late 2013 a formal board of directors was established along with our initial business structure. We formally incorporated as a Non-profit Corporation with the IRS and State of Washington. That felt like we were getting some traction. Early in the year we explored hosting Veterans on professionally guided fishing trips in the local area. One of our very first guided trips was with Darrell Johnson with Far Corners Adventures. It was a great success! The 2014 Day of Honor hosted over 400 guests for a day on the water. Guided trips began ramping up in 2015. Seven guided trips were scheduled for the year hosting 27 Veterans. These trips, along with the Day of Honor, reached an audience of nearly 500 Veterans. In August we added an all-expenses paid fishing trip for 2 Veterans to Alaska! In 2016 we saw a sharp increase in the number of our guided trips. 20 trips in all! Between these trips and the Day of Honor, Salmon for Soldiers hosted nearly 600 Veterans. We were also able to increase the number of Veterans hosted in Alaska to 6! (That number rose to 8 in 2019 and again to 12 in 2020 where it remains today.) This years number of guided trips increased to 27 targeting additional species including salmon, halibut, bottom fish, lingcod and more. With yet another Day of Honor in the books, we were able to host nearly 800 Veterans this year. The number of guided trips fluctuates from year to year depending on the financial support levels we receive. We've added additional programs including a Women's Outreach, Northwest Washington Outreach and Pensacola Florida Outreach expanding our reach across the country. Along with the Day of Honor and the Sekiu Summer Salmon Slam, Salmon for Soldiers hosts in excess of 700 Veterans and Active-Duty members each year! We continue to host our annual Day of Honor event at the Port of Everett. Volunteer boaters are the backbone of the program which has grown to over 100 boats in attendance! This allows for several hundred people to participate each year including volunteers, boat skippers and Veterans. Salmon for Soldiers is continuing to expand adding additional locations across the country. Our long range vision is to expand our outreach programs to different areas throughout the nation. Keep a lookout for an event or program near you!

2013

is when it all began. Salmon for Soldiers founders Rob Endsley, Penny Shelton and Randy Shelton discussed hosting a fishing event to give back to our Veterans and Active-Duty Military. Rob, a retired Washington State River fishing guide, Randy, an Army Veteran and Penny tagged the name 'Salmon for Soldiers' for the event and off it went. The first several months started with informal meetings with the local fishing community and fishing organizations leveraging support. The first milestone was held on August 10th for a one-day event at the Port of Everett. It was very well attended with 77 volunteer boaters hosting 125 Veterans. By late 2013 a formal board of directors was established along with our initial business structure.

2014

We formally incorporated as a Non-profit Corporation with the IRS and State of Washington. That felt like we were getting some traction. Early in the year we explored hosting Veterans on professionally guided fishing trips in the local area. One of our very first guided trips was with Darrell Johnson with Far Corners Adventures. It was a great success! The 2014 Day of Honor hosted over 400 guests for a day on the water.

2015

Guided trips began ramping up in 2015. Seven guided trips were scheduled for the year hosting 27 Veterans. These trips, along with the Day of Honor, reached an audience of nearly 500 Veterans. In August we added an all-expenses paid fishing trip for 2 Veterans to Alaska!

2016

In 2016 we saw a sharp increase in the number of our guided trips. 20 trips in all! Between these trips and the Day of Honor, Salmon for Soldiers hosted nearly 600 Veterans. We were also able to increase the number of Veterans hosted in Alaska to 6! (That number rose to 8 in 2019 and again to 12 in 2020 where it remains today.)

2017

This years number of guided trips increased to 27 targeting additional species including salmon, halibut, bottom fish, lingcod and more. With yet another Day of Honor in the books, we were able to host nearly 800 Veterans this year.

2018-2023

The number of guided trips fluctuates from year to year depending on the financial support levels we receive. We've added additional programs including a Women's Outreach, Northwest Washington Outreach and Pensacola Florida Outreach expanding our reach across the country. Along with the Day of Honor and the Sekiu Summer Salmon Slam, Salmon for Soldiers hosts in excess of 700 Veterans and Active-Duty members each year!

Today

We continue to host our annual Day of Honor event at the Port of Everett. Volunteer boaters are the backbone of the program which has grown to over 100 boats in attendance! This allows for several hundred people to participate each year including volunteers, boat skippers and Veterans. Salmon for Soldiers is continuing to expand adding additional locations across the country. Our long range vision is to expand our outreach programs to different areas throughout the nation. Keep a lookout for an event or program near you!

Our Team

Randy Shelton
Ambassador
Penny Shelton
Ambassador
Ambassador
Sam Church
Chairman of the Board
Chris Long
Vice Chairman
Bernie Balsis
Treasurer/Secretary
Jim Dessin
Operations
Collette Oakley
Board Member
Amy Dessin
Board Member
Gabriel Morrelli
Board Member
Guy Lipski
Board Member
Wayne Lampley
Board Member
Amy Mcnealy
Advisor
Robert Aguilera
Advisor
Karey Small
Advisor

Events

Sekiu Summer Slam

Location: Sekiu Community Center, Sekiu WA

Date: 2026-08-15

Registration: closed

One of our newer events held in the Western Straight of Juan de Fuca. This is a great opportunity for our Veterans and honorably separated service members to get on a boat and spend the day in search of some tight lines and new friendships. If you’d like to participate or help sponsor this event, Please reach out.

Contact: Guy Lipski, NWW.SalmonForSoldiers@gmail.com , (315) 489-3477

Information and Registration

NW Washington Charity Golf Tournament

Location: Peninsula Golf Club, Port Angeles, WA

Date: 2026-06-06

Registration: open

With fun in mind, and a great day on the course, this event is a must attend charity event to raise funds to send our Veterans on free fishing trips as a form of piscatorial therapy. It’s amazing what a day on the water can do to help our Veterans heal. Every sponsorship sends another veteran fishing for a day. Please help us provide a peaceful day on the water for more of our nations veterans.

Contact: NWW.SalmonForSoldiers@gmail.com , (360) 797-4214

Information and Registration

Pensacola Charity Golf Tournament

Location: A.C. Read Golf Course, NAS Pensacola

Date:

Registration: closed

Our newest charity golf tournament extending our reach to the Florida panhandle. Held on board beautiful NAS Pensacola, the cradle of Naval Aviation and home of the Blue Angels! An awesome day of fun and prizes, but most importantly, raising funds to support our SW Veterans. Every sponsorship sends another veteran fishing for a day. Please help us provide a peaceful day on the water for more of our nations veterans.

Contact: Chris Long, Chris@SalmonForSoldiers.org , (360) 202-2664

Information and Registration

Alderbrook Charity Golf Tournament

Location: Alderbrook Golf and Yacht Club, Union WA

Date: 2026-08-01

Registration: open

Our main fundraising event! A day full of fun golf, amazing prizes and an amazing silent raffle. All to help raise funds for our active duty and honorably separated Veterans. Every sponsorship sends another veteran fishing for a day. Please help us provide a peaceful day on the water for more of our nations veterans.

Contact: Penny Shelton, PenniePaints@yahoo.com , (253) 227-2917

Information and Sponsorship

Day of Honor

Location: Port of Everett, Everett WA

Date: 2026-09-20

Registration: open

This is our flagship event! With a fleet of 100 volunteer boats and skippers hosting over 300 Veterans each year, We provide a day full of fishing, feasting and fun. Our volunteers and donors provide and amazing display of giving and gratitude. This event is sure to put a smile on your face. Please reach out if you would like to donate, volunteer, or sign up as a Veteran.

Contact: Sam@SalmonForSoldiers.org , (509) 294-3876

Information and Registration

Veteran Registration

If you are an active duty service member or an honorably discharged veteran, you could be eligible for this program! Check out our Veteran Registration page.

Financials

We are a non profit 501.C.3 organization

EIN 46-4849556
UBI 603-384-632

Contact Info

Address:

3691 NE Trout Brook Lane
Bremerton, Washington 98311

Phone:

(509) 294-3876

Email:

info@SalmonForSoldiers.org
Are you a Veteran in crisis or
concerned about one? Call: (800) 575-3500
Dial: 988 then press 1
Text: 838255
 www.VeteransCrisisLine.net

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