Herman Beer is doing his part to get youngsters to enjoy the outdoors.

He’s with Kids Matter, a non-profit organization in Stockton that serves the needs of young people and families at risk from living in a negative environment of gangs, drugs, violence and prostitution.

Beer does that by providing fishing as a tool.

“It gets (children) outdoors and away from the video games,” he said on Wednesday at the Bass Pro Shop.

For over five years, he sporting goods and outdoor stores in the Promenade Shops in Orchard Valley in Manteca has taken up a collection of new and used rods and reels to help support Beer and Kids Matter.

According to Jethro Tolentino, who is the special events coordinator at Bass Pro, this year’s donation consisted of 500 rods and between 200 to 300 reels.

“People who shop here will bring in their old ones for new ones,” he said. “Others will buy new ones to donate (to Kid’s Matter).”

Beer appreciates the donation of rods and reels.

He believes providing fishing as a tool can help inspire young people that there’s more to life than what they see outside their window.

According to Kids Matter, fishing provides “an opportunity to be outdoors, interacting with other kids and families, and, most important, being mentored by people that care about their future.”

Beer noted that the annual Kids Matter fishing outing took place last month at Morelli Park at the Stockton waterfront.

“This donation will help with next year’s event (at Morelli Park),” he said.

To contact reporter Vince Rembulat, e-mail vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com.