Jeff Connella’s 3,000 kids

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BASS News

Jeff Connella's 3,000 kids

Bassmaster Elite Series pro Jeff Connella plans to spend Saturday, Sept. 25, with about 3,000 kids.

Connella honestly loves kids — he has two of his own, plus two stepsons — but he'll need, and will have, plenty of help with the thousands of kids who turn out for the Woodworth, La., observation of National Hunting and Fishing Day.

From Bentley, La., Connella has volunteered for the event for the past three years. This year he'll also serve as the official master of ceremonies. The event is free, and kids and their parents are invited to turn out for a day of outdoor activities, from pond fishing for catfish to the skinning of a gator, he said.

"We've seen it grow from about 300 participants three years ago to around 3,000 last year. We're expecting a big turnout," he said.

Created in 1972, National Hunting and Fishing Day is celebrated the fourth Saturday of September in various ways by hundreds of organizations across America. The annual event recently found a permanent "home" with Wonders of Wildlife, a museum and educational organization based in Springfield, Mo. Details are at www.nhfday.org.