The RodFather donates fishing gear to local camp, hopes the gear will offer troubled youth an alternative
Camp Edge director says the donation allows for mentorship opportunities
Charity knows no borders. This past week, Mantua’s Vince Santroni, dubbed “The RodFather,” made his way to Alloway to donate fishing gear to Camp Edge, part of Ranch Hope Inc., for youth who otherwise may not have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.
Ranch Hope Inc. is a faith-based organization and has owned Camp Edge for 15 years. Camp Edge offers summer camp opportunities to troubled youth, children of migrant families and more.
Santroni’s interest in the camp began three years ago when he asked camp leadership if he could fish on the camp’s property.
Santroni’s organization, The RodFather, is an initiative with multiple faces. Created to honor his late father — an avid angler — the initiative sells merchandise and donates the proceeds to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, purchases supplies to carry out lake cleanups in the South Jersey region and donates fishing gear to kids who can benefit from time spent on the water.
He donated four rods and multiple tackle boxes containing fishing wire, hooks, bobbers, bug spray, fish grippers and more to Camp Edge. The total value is approximately $250.
“My main thing is the troubled youth program. That is the main reason why I am here,” Santroni said.
When Santroni happened upon the camp’s property three years ago, he met Ryen Garrison, the camp director. Since then, the two men have formed a bond over their mission to help youth.
Garrison, of Upper Deerfield Township, has been the camp director for five years.
“We had an instant connection,” Garrison said referring to his relationship with Santroni.
Garrison grew up fishing and hunting, and he attributes these activities, along with his faith, as the reason he was able to live a life on the straight and narrow.
Santroni is open about his past. For a stretch of his adult life, while monetarily successful, he struggled with drugs and alcohol. It wasn’t until the passing of his father that he found his way again.
Once he picked up a fishing pole, he was able to fill the void where alcohol and drugs once dwelled.
By offering fishing gear, Santroni and Garrison hope to offer campers an interest — an avenue that allows for an appreciation for the outdoors.
Garrison said, “This gives us another venue to connect with the children and they can experience something they never have. It’s an opportunity to show them how to do something positive.”
However, Garrison said it’s about more than just fishing.
By teaching children how to fish, communication outlets open as well as “trust relationships” that will provide children with outlets to talk about life and any problems they may have.
“The outdoors gives you a natural high. It is free to everyone,” he said.
Referring to children who come from troubled backgrounds, Santroni said, “They don’t have the environment to rely on, they only have themselves and [Camp Edge] gives them the alternative. I feel so bad for a child that has to raise him or herself and can’t enjoy what life has to offer.”
For more information about Camp Edge, visit https://campedge.org/.
