BOISE, Idaho, Dec. 17, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Sockeye salmon are in danger of going extinct, but there is still hope for the future. The fish are famous for their annual 900-mile journey from the Pacific Ocean to Red Fish Lake in Idaho, and while their populations are low, help is coming from an unlikely source. Topher Jones, an 11-year-old from Boise, Idaho, is raising money to aid in the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation's conservation efforts, by selling custom Sockeye salmon socks, challenge coins and bottle openers.
Topher was inspired to get involved by the story of Lonesome Larry, the only Sockeye salmon to return to Idaho's Red Fish Lake in 1992. He hopes that sharing the story of Lonesome Larry will inspire more people to get involved in saving the Sockeyes. He and his family spent the better part of 2019 laying the groundwork for Topher's organization, The Lonesome Larry Project, and they're hoping to make a big splash in 2020. Topher said, "My long term goal in the Lonesome Larry Project is that fish population is healthy, and fish no longer need our support."
Apart from raising money to save the Sockeye salmon, Topher is also hoping to show kids his age that they can make a difference too. "I want to inspire more people to help save more endangered species, and I feel like other kids might also get inspired with their own ideas and start a business that supports a cause," he said. Topher has had incredible support from his friends, family and the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Association. When Topher's father, Gordon Jones, was asked about how he felt when his son decided to help save the Sockeyes from going extinct, he said, "Kids are 100% of our future, so if they want to take one chance to contribute to the future, I think that's a great thing."
The idea of selling socks to save Sockeye salmon was a natural fit. Topher has dubbed himself "the sock guy for Sockeye," and sells custom blue and red Lonesome Larry socks on his website. However, you can't wear the same pair of socks every day, so Topher decided to create custom challenge coins and bottle openers to serve as a more permanent and meaningful alternative. They're perfect for displaying on a desk, opening a cold drink, or just keeping close at hand to show your support. Topher's father said, "I can see the challenge coins as a thank you memento for our elected officials and supporters to display or pass along in order to increase support for salmon research and conservation."
It's not every day that you see an 11-year-old tackling something as big as saving a species, but that's exactly what Topher is hoping to do. All proceeds from the custom socks, challenge coins and bottle openers are donated to the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation to help the Sockeye salmon in the Pacific Northwest.
To learn more about the plight of the Sockeye salmon or about Topher Jones and the Lonesome Larry Project, you can check out their new website, https://lonesomelarryproject.com.
About Signature Coins
Signature Coins, a division of Signature Promotional Group, is a leading manufacturer of all types of promotional products including custom challenge coins, lapel pins, embroidered patches, lanyards, charms, medallions and wristbands. The company has served more than 50,000 businesses and organizations around the globe including the military, professional and college sports teams, universities, charities and local, state, federal and international governments. Signature Coins provides free design and free shipping with every order. To order, go to http://www.signaturecoins.com or call toll free (800) 953-3607.
SOURCE Signature Coins
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