BBBSNEW Blog

EVENT AIMS TO GET KIDS HOOKED ON FISHING

GREEN BAY, WI— Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin (BBBSNEW) and Fish For Kids partnered for an event Saturday, June 1, to give children an opportunity to learn to fish with their Big Brother, Big Sister or their guardian.

The second annual event provided 50 children who are matched through BBBSNEW, as well as those waiting to be matched, with instruction on casting, fish identification, using bait and knot tying before assisting them with shoreline fishing at the stocked ponds at Osprey Point in De Pere. Each child received a free fishing pole and Fish For Kids hat.

“Partnering with organizations like Fish For Kids allows Big Brothers Big Sisters to provide experiences for children that helps them build confidence and, in this case, a connection to the environment,” said Katie Hess, executive director.

“When we work together, we can do so much more to defend the potential of children.”

Fish For Kids Foundation, a Fond du Lac-based nonprofit, partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters for two events on Wisconsin’s Free Fishing weekend June 1 and 2, including the event with BBBSNEW in De Pere on Saturday and another event in Fond du Lac on Sunday.

“The idea is that we want to encourage kids to develop a lifelong interest in fishing, especially in Northeast Wisconsin where water and natural resources are right outside our back door,” said Rick DeJardin, a volunteer with Fish For Kids Foundation.

“We hope that once they know what to do, and have all the equipment to get started, that kids will spend more time outdoors doing positive things.”

Last year, 100 children with BBBSNEW experienced Fish For Kids in De Pere. DeJardin said that this year, the number of children reached will be the same but will be split between the two events in De Pere and Fond du Lac.

The event is open only to children served by Big Brothers Big Sisters in both communities. It is completely free and made possible by donations secured by the Fish For Kids Foundation.

About Fish For Kids Foundation: Fish For Kids Foundation is a nonprofit organization through GOEBEL Family Foundation designed to show children the positive effects of fishing and the outdoors. Fish For Kids events have been held since 2005 and have touched the lives of more than 2,000 children.

Website: www.fishforkids.org

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin is the premier youth mentoring organization serving Brown, Door and Shawano counties, serving more than 600 children in 2018. Our mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally-supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Founded in 1972, we are a 100 percent donor and volunteer supported nonprofit organization.