In Loving Memory of Jason VanSlooten
Mike and Kathy VanSlooten endured a loss no parent ever wants to go through. Their beloved son Jason “Jay” VanSlooten lost his battle with cancer in 2011. Jason showed incredible strength and courage through his battle with cancer. Before Jason passed away he hand-built a wooden canoe for a project in high school. The canoe has sat in their garage for 7 years since Jason’s passing. The VanSlooten’s couldn’t bring themselves to sell it, it had too much meaning.
Mike VanSlooten was watching a Michigan Outdoors program and there was a show on about an ice fishing event for Veterans on Burt Lake. Through Facebook Mike VanSlooten and Dr. MJ Wegmann, President of Social Responsibility 501c3 and the Veterans fishing program Reel Liberty (which was on TV that day) connected and the discussion was about a Veteran paddling event that Reel Liberty hosts. Mike and his wife Kathy had a strong feeling this was the the perfect opportunity to honor their son’s life and memory.
Mike and Kathy choose to donate Jason’s canoe to the Reel Liberty program and permanently secure the canoe’s future and purpose. The canoe will be utilized in Jason’s memory for events hosted by Reel Liberty in N. Michigan.
Below are many pictures of Jason, the canoe building process and the donation. Please take a moment and look through the photos. We want to honor and thank Mike and Kathy VanSlooten for their generous donation.
“In loving memory of Jason “Jay” VanSlooten”
Mike VanSlooten was watching a Michigan Outdoors program and there was a show on about an ice fishing event for Veterans on Burt Lake. Through Facebook Mike VanSlooten and Dr. MJ Wegmann, President of Social Responsibility 501c3 and the Veterans fishing program Reel Liberty (which was on TV that day) connected and the discussion was about a Veteran paddling event that Reel Liberty hosts. Mike and his wife Kathy had a strong feeling this was the the perfect opportunity to honor their son’s life and memory.
Mike and Kathy choose to donate Jason’s canoe to the Reel Liberty program and permanently secure the canoe’s future and purpose. The canoe will be utilized in Jason’s memory for events hosted by Reel Liberty in N. Michigan.
Below are many pictures of Jason, the canoe building process and the donation. Please take a moment and look through the photos. We want to honor and thank Mike and Kathy VanSlooten for their generous donation.
“In loving memory of Jason “Jay” VanSlooten”