Boots to Waders was founded in 2024 by Jeramie and Charlie, two veterans who share a deep commitment to supporting the people who serve our country. Both had navigated their own service-related health challenges and found that time spent outdoors — especially on the water with a fishing rod in hand — offered space to reconnect mentally, physically, and spiritually.

During a summer charter in 2024, they realized they weren’t alone. Nearly everyone they met had a similar story: fishing wasn’t just a hobby — it was a place to breathe, reset, and feel grounded again. That experience sparked a simple question: What if more veterans and first responders could have access to this kind of day?

Surveys, conversations, and community feedback quickly confirmed the need. There were countless people who would benefit from a no-cost, low-pressure day on the water — a chance to step away from stress and reconnect with someone they trust.

Driven by that need, Jeramie and Charlie set out to create something that could make a real difference. It meant long nights learning nonprofit regulations, piecing together costs, handling paperwork, and figuring out everything from web design to outreach — all while wondering if they could truly pull it off. Then one night, a line from a song hit home: “If you got a chance, take it. If you got a dream, chase it.” And they did.

Boots to Waders — now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Palmer, Alaska — was built from that dream. Today, we honor and support Department of Defense personnel, veterans, first responders, emergency responders, and their families by offering meaningful outdoor experiences that strengthen mental well-being, create lasting memories, deepen relationships, and provide a genuine chance to breathe.