SHELBY COUNTY – The Shelby County Bassmasters hosted its annual Youth Day Fishing Derby for local families participating in programs offered by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County. The event was held on August 17, 2024 at the home of Mike Meyer, the owner of Meyer’s Garage and Drive Thru in Newport. Mike served previously as a board member for BBBSSD and enjoys supporting this annual event that has a positive impact on the youth in the community. He has partnered with the Bassmasters to host this annual event for over two decades.
“Our agency is grateful for Shelby County Bassmasters and Mike Meyer’s efforts to provide a day full of FUN for the families we serve through our Community and Site-Based Mentoring Programs. Their actions prove to us that they are defenders of potential and that they are committed to helping us ignite the potential within every child through meaningful mentorship.” said April Brubaker, Executive Director.
The Bassmasters had over 20 volunteers on hand ready to assist BBBSSD Littles, Bigs, and families with the fundamentals of fishing during the derby. Volunteers taught the ins and outs of baiting a hook, casting a line, reeling in fish, untangling line, releasing fish, and most of all…. Patience! Bassmasters’ are passionate about fishing and want nothing more than to get youth hooked on fishing. “My heart melted every time I witnessed the excitement of a youth catching their first fish. Seeing their eyes light up and their smiles grow from ear to ear, and hearing the excitement in their voices, was priceless! What a wonderful way for our Big & Littles to spend time together.” said Jennifer Henke, Vice President of BBBSSD.
“This year’s event was a huge success with 20+ youth catching a total of 157 fish.” said Randy Dickerson, President of Shelby County Bassmasters. The event concluded with a picnic style lunch and an award ceremony to congratulate and award the winners with trophies and every youth taking home a FREE fishing pole.
Free fishing poles for each child was made possible by the proceeds generated from the Shelby County Bassmasters’ weekly “boat only” Fishing Tournament held at Lake Loramie every Thursday from May to September from 5:00-8:30pm. For more information about the tournament reach out to Rick Driskell at (937) 638-2184.
Funding and resources for the annual event were donated by Davis Meats, Hartzell Industries, Jason Vanderhorst, Kiwanis Club of Sidney, Meyer’s Garage & Drive Thru, Mully’s Outwest Drive Thru, Ohio Division of Natural Resources, Russ Michael, Sidney Foodtown, Sons of The American Legion Piqua Post #184, Spillway Bait & Tackle and Vicky Tipps.
“Thank you to the Bassmasters members for hosting the event and for sharing your love for fishing with our Big Brothers Big Sisters family. Special thanks to Doug Wetzel for planning and coordinating the fun-filled event.” Says Jenette Stark, Mentor Specialist at BBBSSD.
Group activities, such as the Youth Fishing Derby are offered at no cost to the agency’s Bigs & Littles Matches and their families. They are a great way for families and the BBBSSD staff to get to know one another, thus strengthening the positive impact on the youth our programs serve.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby and Darke County:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing professionally supported mentorship to children from all walks of life through our Site-Based Lunch Buddies and Community-Based Matches of volunteer BIGS (Adults/ High School Students) and LITTLES (children). Our one-to-one mentoring relationships support the critical social and emotional development needed to help build resilience and promote the mental health and well-being of children across Shelby & Darke County. Become a volunteer BIG today and invest in a child’s future and help ignite, empower, and defend the potential in the youth of our community. Learn more – visit our website at bigbrobigsis-shelbydarke.org or contact April Brubaker, Executive Director, via email at april@bbbsshelbydarke.org or via phone at (937) 492-7611.