Anglers sought for 4-H Foundation’s Family Fishing Tournament Fundraiser
Anglers are being sought for the annual Family Fishing Tournament Fundraiser for the Lee County 4-H Foundation.
The tournament will be held Saturday, May 2, with the awards, dinner and raffles beginning at 4 p.m. at Mike Greenwell Regional Park, formerly the Lee Civic Center, 11831 Bayshore Road.
Individual entry for adults – 18 and older, is $35, Youth – 8 to 17, is $25 and Shiner – 7 and under, is $10. Team entry, with a maximum of four people, is $150. The entry fee includes a tournament T-shirt, tournament bucket with score sheet and a meal ticket per registered angler.
The community is invited to attend the dinner for $10.
The captain’s meeting will be held Friday, May 1, at 6 p.m., at Mike Greenwell Regional Park.
Anglers can drop their line anywhere they can find a fish at 7 a.m. or safe daylight at any location on May 2. Check-in will begin at noon, but no later than 3 p.m.
“We are looking for one red fish, two trout and one mystery fish,” foundation president Cayla Smith said, adding that anglers are asked to text a photograph of their fish.
Trophies will be awarded for first, second and third places in the Shiner Angler, Youth Angler, Adult Angler and Top team categories.
Smith said the foundation is a support, nonprofit arm for the 4-H program with all the proceeds going back to the youth. College scholarships are the foundation’s primary focus, as is relieving some of the financial burden that comes along with 4-H projects, and state events.
“There comes a fee to attend them,” she said. “We are able to release some of that financial burden and stress on the families. We encourage them to attend these events that are so crucial to building relationships. My relationships when I was in 4-H youth are still continuing to this day.”
The fishing tournament is the foundation’s primary funding source to be able to give back to the youth and make sure they are having an educational and enjoyable experience with 4-H.
“Sometimes we do regular program funding based on need. It is very rewarding for me being in my mid 20s to give back to an organization that has given me so much. We are doing it for the kids and that is very rewarding,” Smith said.
To register, or for more information, contact Smith at LeeCounty4HFoundation@gmail.com.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com