MPulse Supports U.S. Veterans by Sponsoring Fly Fishing Trips for Wounded Soldiers on Oregon's McKenzie River

    EUGENE, OR, August 12, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- MPulse Maintenance Software (www.mpulsesoftware.com), a division of SpecTech, Inc., believes strongly in supporting our global community by giving back. Perhaps no group is more deserving of that support than those who serve in our nation's military. That's why MPulse recently joined with Rivers of Recovery to help sponsor two fly-fishing trips for combat-wounded veterans on Oregon's majestic McKenzie River.

Rivers of Recovery (www.riversofrecovery.org), a 501c3 nonprofit organization, provides intensive recreational therapy opportunities for combat veterans who have been physically affected, or are suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) or post traumatic shock disorder (PTSD). The organization's scientifically designed program fosters confidence-building through outdoor activities and talk therapy in a relaxed, supportive environment.

MPulse donated 5% of its May 2013 sales revenues to help sponsor two, two-day trips of six veterans each, and the overall operations of Rivers of Recovery. While it started out as a simple fundraising effort for a good cause, MPulse employees soon became invested in the Rivers of Recovery mission. Jason Johnson, MPulse's vice president of sales and marketing, began advocating for a fly fishing trip on Oregon's scenic McKenzie River near the MPulse headquarters -- the first time the Rivers of Recovery organization has held trips there.

Johnson reached out to Chris Daughters -- owner of Caddis Fly (www.thecaddisfly.com), a Eugene, Ore., fly fishing shop -- to organize the trips. Johnson and Daughters worked closely with Amy Simon, executive director of Rivers of Recovery, to ensure the trips followed the therapeutic guidelines set forth by Rivers of Recovery. Each group of six veterans received two back-to-back days of guided fly fishing, which took place July 21-22 and July 24-25, 2014. The river guides were provided by Daughters, who also arranged lodging for the group in his cabin at Loloma Lodge in Blue River, Ore.

The experience was extremely powerful for both the organizers and the participants. "Fly fishing is more than a hobby. It's Zen meditation -- the flowing water, fresh air, sunshine. It's therapy," explains Johnson, who is a U.S. Army veteran and fly fisherman himself. "It was truly humbling to join this group of selfless men and women for two beautiful days on the river, and to see the impact the experience had on each of them. The change that happens over two days is miraculous."

Eugene area veterans Troy Givens, Michael Oreskovic, and Jacob Courtright volunteered as camp hosts for the trips, organizing the food, social activities, and transportation. All three are former participants in Rivers of Recovery trips, and they were well versed in the process and the therapeutic benefits of the program.

"Soldiers come back with scars that aren't always visible," said Oreskovic, a U.S. Army veteran. "Rivers of Recovery gives vets a chance to work through difficult experiences and find their sense of purpose and self-confidence again. It made a difference in my recovery, and I wanted to pay it forward with other veterans."

The veterans weren't the only ones who came back from the river with a different perspective. Coordinating and participating in the Rivers of Recovery trips also left the organizers galvanized by the experience. "We were inspired by the changes these trips made in the lives of these deserving vets," Johnson said. "It was great to see firsthand what giving back means. At MPulse we believe in actively supporting the communities where we do business and helping those in need. Our senior leaders are active in Rotary International and our employees receive paid time off for community service, which they use to support numerous worthy organizations. It's part of who we are."

MPulse would like to thank the following people for their support, which made these trips possible:

- MPulse customers, for their generous donations and enthusiasm for the project
- Amy Simon, Rivers of Recovery executive director, for her support and encouragement
- Chris Daughters, owner of Caddis Fly, for providing the guided tours and lodging
- Troy Givens, Michael Oreskovic, and Jacob Courtright, Rivers of Recovery camp hosts, for organizing the on-the-ground logistics and emotional support for the veterans.

About MPulse Software
To thousands of customers around the world, MPulse Means Maintenance Success. Founded in 1995 as a division of SpecTech, Inc., MPulse Software is a provider of maintenance management software developed by experts in maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) and facility management. Our world-class solutions provide reliable scheduling, tracking, and reporting tools for equipment and facilities maintenance organizations. In business for nearly two decades, MPulse serves more than 2,500 customers around the world and maintains sales offices in Colorado, Delaware, Oregon, and Pennsylvania as well as India, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Our mission at MPulse is to make maintenance operations more productive and more efficient, whatever their size. Current clients range from small maintenance shops in public schools, restaurants, and retail outlets to large maintenance departments in global enterprises like General Dynamics, Fender Guitars, Siemens, and Verizon. With our easy-to-use EAM/CMMS software, MPulse customers reduce maintenance expenses, minimize downtime, extend equipment life, and boost productivity throughout their organizations. For more information, visit www.mpulsesoftware.com.

About Rivers of Recovery
Rivers of Recovery was founded in 2008 by Dan T. Cook as a means to help combat veterans overcome the invisible scars of war. In six years, Rivers of Recovery has hosted hundreds of veterans through our unique rehabilitation program. As an industry leader in veterans rehabilitation, Rivers of Recovery utilizes a medically designed curriculum coupled with outdoor recreational activities to treat combat veterans suffering with Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), minor Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), stress, anxiety, and depression.

Each Rivers of Recovery trip hosts six to ten combat veterans on a science-based, experiential rehabilitation program that focuses on confidence-building, outdoor activities, talk therapy in a relaxed, positive environment and proven techniques on the self-management of symptoms, stressors and responses. Through fly fishing, instruction increases self-confidence, skill-improvement builds empowerment, and achievement facilitates enthusiasm and resiliency.

About Caddis Fly
The Caddis Fly Angling Shop is one of the West Coast's oldest fly fishing shops, specializing in guided fly fishing trips on the McKenzie River and other Oregon waters. An Authorized Dealer of Sage, Orvis, Winston, Nautilus, Bauer, Rio, Simms, Scientific Angler, and many other quality tackle manufacturers, Caddis Fly prides itself on selling, fishing, and guiding with the finest tackle available. Since 1978, the experienced staff members of Caddis Fly have proudly focused on giving great advice on fly fishing and fly fishing tackle, introducing new anglers to the sport, stocking top quality fly fishing equipment, and providing superb customer service. Learn more at www.thecaddisfly.com.

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