WINNING SPIRIT IN ACTION : TOTAL CARE AUTO-POWERED BY LANDCAR ' S RANDY BAKER
A HERO AT WORK AND ON THE WATER
WINNING SPIRIT IN ACTION : TOTAL CARE AUTO-POWERED BY LANDCAR ' S RANDY BAKER
Heroes on the Water helps our Nation ’ s warriors and veterans from all branches of the United States military unwind using the therapeutic qualities of fishing from kayaks . What looks like a day trip of paddling and fishing is in fact something much deeper and longlasting .
Be a student . Be a teacher . Be a leader — This is one of our company ’ s guiding principles and one exemplified in the dedication and service of Randy Baker . Randy has been with the LHM Group for 19 years and currently works with Total Care Auto . His coworkers credit him with being a great student and teacher at work
Randy Baker while also giving back to his community .
Six months ago , Randy became involved with Heroes on the Water ( HOW ), a non-profit charitable organization that helps rehabilitate and reintegrate disabled active duty personnel and veterans through the therapeutic qualities of fishing and kayaking .
Randy was first inspired to become a part of HOW when his son returned from Afghanistan after 12 months of service . His son started kayak fishing with a friend , Chad , who he met on Facebook . Randy noticed almost immediately the positive impact the kayak fishing was having on his son ’ s ability to deal with his mental stress and trauma . Chad and Randy decided to start a Heroes on the Water Chapter in Utah to help instill self-reliance and hope for local veterans . Randy and the HOW organization know not all battle scars are physical and that this program has been proven to help vets overcome their PTSD .
These activities are closely coordinated with military and hospital staff , and all services are provided to the veterans at no cost .
Randy has seen firsthand how kayak fishing helps vets : “ It gets them outdoors and allows them to have a day to unwind , relax and forget their troubles . The vets are able to talk to one another when they won ’ t talk to anyone else . It is a very healing experience for them .” The kayak fishing also gives them the opportunity to spend some quality time with their families .
When asked about his most memorable experience with HOW , Randy shared this story :
“ A young man and his father were fishing at Bountiful Pond where we were holding one of our HOW activities . The father walked over and started asking about all the kayaks we had on the bank . After I had told him a little bit about HOW , the father explained how his son was having trouble coping with some similar issues . My son went over and talked the young man into getting into one of the kayaks , and my son spent a couple of hours out on the pond fishing and talking with him . The father was so excited to see his boy enjoying himself for a change .”
Randy knows how much these men and women have sacrificed for their country , and he feels giving up his vacation and personal time to help them on their road to recovery is a small price to pay . To learn more about Heroes on the Water , visit Howutah . org and heroesonthewater . org . WS
The Heroes on the Water Northern Utah Chapter ’ s first event was held on March 26 , 2015 . The organization helps veterans and their families unite through kayaks and fishing .
Story submitted by Robb Enger and Sydni Spencer with TCA .
Do you know an employee or have a story which exemplifies the LHM Winning Spirit ? Tell us about it at WinningSpirit @ lhm . com .