Need Boater Volunteers for September 12, 2009 Fish-n-Friends Youth Event

[djkimmel]

Help everyone - Anthony and I need 15 to 20 boater volunteers again this year for the September 12, 2009 Fish-n-Friends youth fishing event on Lake Orion.

Details here http://www.greatlakesbass.com/forum/index.php?topic=6109.0

[Anthony Adams]

Everyone this is a youth charity fishing event to take underpriveledge children fishing. I have had 4 boaters back out at the last minute and I was a couple short to start with. I don't have the heart to tell these kids I don't have enough boats to take them all fishing.

If anyone has a boat that would be willing to take a couple kids fishing Saturday on Lake Orion it would be greatly appreciated.

A pontoon, fishing boat, bass boat would be nice.

These are kids that never get to go fishing.

[Anthony Adams]

If you want to volunteer please call me at 586-202-3594

I will need the boats to be there at 7 am and we will fish until 11:30 Then break for awards and prizes.

If your available please donate half your day for a worth while cause.

[Anthony Adams]

We gained two and lost two boats today.

It's desperation time for our Saturday Sept 12th Lake Orion Fish-n-Friends day for the Crossroads for Youth fishing day. These kids have earned the privilege of going out with us fishing for the day and are looking forward to it. I am afraid we'll have to tell some kids we can't get them out on the lake for the 4 hours of fishing. Please let's not let these kids down.

Many of us take fishing for granted because can go whenever we want. Most of us had someone who took us fishing when we were young. These kids don't have that. These kids have never been fishing and if not for us would never have be introduced to the sport of fishing.

I don't know where I would be today if no one had taken me fishing. How often do you have a chance to influence the future of our sport and the future of a child? How many tournaments do you fish a year? How many times have you given back to the youth or the sport of fishing?

We've had nothing but great success every year. The kids end up just being kids, enjoying a chance to fish out of boats with caring adult anglers who give them something they probably have not gotten enough in their lives before.

I realize we are all busy and the economy is killing us, but we do get to enjoy what we love much more than these kids. Many of them have never been fishing before. Some of them have little in their short lives they can look forward to.

We really need your help, and the help of any other boaters you may know. Ideally, we'd like about 10-12 boats and two or three pontoons. You don't have to have a fancy bass boat to help out. The kids just want to go fishing. Believe me, they really want to go. I'll add that almost every boater who has ever helped us out has told me it was a special day they'll always remember and want to do again. There's many things you can do with your day, but few will have the impact on your life as this one.

Please, help us out. We need boaters at the Lake Orion DNR ramp TOMMOROW SATURDAY SEPT 12TH between 6:45am and 7:15 AM. We will stop fishing at 12 noon and if you care to stay, we will have dinner and a short awards ceremony afterwards.

If you have questions or plan to volunteer please give me a call 586-202-3594 or call Jaye at 810-875-0696

[River Rat]

Anthony, you already know my wife Paula and I will be there @ 0700 but still posting to bring this thread back to the top.

Hopefully more guys can help out, I've got a birthday, family and friends from here and out-of-town in town tomorrow, plus a 20yr reunion to hit tomorrow night while sneaking in a bit of the U-M v ND game, and STILL will make the 58 mile drive... oh and spending tonight detoxing my boat from the Detroit River/LSC/Erie to make sure it's not going to hurt Lake Orion.

Scott

[djkimmel]

AND you allowed the first pike ever in your boat just for the kids!!! THANKS so much for coming and helping for the kids Scott. It was great to meet you and it says a lot that you took the time to help make a difference. If I hadn't gotten up so early to make it over there on time this year, I would have remembered to wish you a happy birthday, but that time of morning... my memory isn't awake yet.

The kids all had a great time! That was obvious! That is the least amount of boats we have had. So everyone who showed was critical allowing us to get all the kids out who had earned the chance to come out and enjoy a perfect day of weather and fun fishing. Most of us probably have no idea what a privilege and reward a day on the lake is for the kids.

Thanks to you and everyone else who helped out. Bloomer (has volunteered every year), Andy, Ryan, Jon, Jack and Mojo Mike. Who else was there in the morning? As I say, I'm a slow starter in the morning - there was someone else there helping out. Plus I forget who was driving the pontoon boat?

Thanks to Anthony for organizing the event. And a BIG thanks to his better help Jaye for getting all the prizes together for the kids and boaters. She held a number of fundraisers and did the shopping. I imagine she had a lot to do with getting the rods, reels, life jackets, tackle and live bait together too. THANKS Jaye!!!

Not sure yet who all helped out with stuff this year but I know Little Bill's Trophies offered to help. Due to logistics this year we didn't take Little Bill up on it. We will definitely next year.

If you need trophies, plaques, medals, etc for any activity, Little Bill's Trophies has a large selection in his pro shop in Redford. And being a bass tournament angler himself, Little Bill has an excellent assortment of quality fishing trophies, some of which you'll see being copied by the big circuits too.

Give Little Bill a try for your club, activity, team or circuit needs. He's a huge supporter of charity and youth events, and a super nice person. So you need to buy your trophies from someone. Buy from someone who makes a difference too!

LITTLE BILLS TROPHIES
25886 W SIX MILE RD
REDFORD MI 48240
www.littlebillstrophies.com
313-533-9070

[River Rat]

It was truly our pleasure to be there and take part in this event!  Paula and I talked about it practically the whole way home and for the rest of the day.  As I'm getting ready to say count us in next year I fell bad that we have to wait so long to try and make a positive difference in the kids lives again...  I was so wrapped up in talking with both boys and trying to make sure they (and the counselor) were happy that I forgot to fish the majority of the time.

And the pike... dang, no I've gotta detox my boat from that thing.  Reminds me, I have to run to Gander Mtn to buy a net before I hit the river tomorrow because of that fish!

I've got some pics if anyone is collecting for some sort of "scrap book."

Scott

p.s. The only way I won't be back is if I'm run over by a semi, again, and stuck in the hospital, again!  Lightning doesn't stirke twice, does it?!

[djkimmel]

I've heard it doesn't (lightning)... I can't guarantee that though... not really.

I'm very glad you came and had a good time. The kids can benefit from our positive influence and the break in their regular routine. They earn the reward to go out fishing with us. I always want to take as many of them out as we can.

I forgot to mention to everyone who might be thinking about helping that we do all have an additional adult chaperone helper in the boat with us normally.