Fishing News - 3/17/02
HOW TO TAKE A KID FISHING. HOW ABOUT 250,000 KIDS?
Five New Corporate Sponsors Join 11 Others To Help Hooked On Fishing International Put On More Than 1,500 Fishing Derbies For Kids This Summer
KETCHUM, OK -- Pass the word. Corporate America likes kids. Perhaps
remembering a day in their own lives, company officials still want America’s kids to hold a rod and reel in their young hands and cast it, just like young people did a generation ago, to see how far they can cast it, to feel the thrill of a tug on the bobber. This year five more corporations have signed on to help Hooked On Fishing International (HOFI) of Ketchum, OK, to put a rod and reel in the hands of young people.In 2002 HOFI will put on more than 1,500 Wal-Mart Kids All-American Fishing Derbies in 50 states for an estimated 250,000 youngsters. That’s more than twice as many derbies and young anglers than in any year in HOFI’s 16 year history. Most derbies will be held during National Fishing and Boating Week, June 1-9. Executive Director Gordon Holland announced that for the new season, joining title sponsor Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., the program will have the additional support of Strike King Lures, EverStart Batteries, Kellogg’s, Heddon and Rebel Lures for Pradco Outdoor Brands, and Bar-S Foods Company, which makes the "official hot dog" of the Wal-Mart Kids All-American Fishing Derby program.
The new brands join repeating sponsors Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Southwest Airlines, Fujifilm, Dubble Bubble Bubble Gum, Laker by Jadico, Trilene, Eagle Claw, Zebco, Berkley PowerBait, and FishingWorld.com.
"On behalf of the moms and dads of our young anglers, and for the kids as well, we thank these great companies for helping us introduce the sport of fishing to yet another generation of youngsters," said Holland. Since its inception in 1987, over six million youngsters and their family members have attended a Kids All-American Fishing Derby.
Holland also praised several organizations and agencies that have joined Hooked On Fishing International as "partners" – the U.S. Forest Service, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Alliance, the Outdoor Heritage Education Center, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, and the National Recreation and Parks Association.
"Without the support of our partners and our sponsors, we could not do what we do and 250,000 kids might not have the opportunity to go fishing this year," said Holland.
Hooked On Fishing International produces the events with the help of local adult volunteer organizations and agencies. Adult groups interested in organizing a local derby can get information from the HOFI web site - www.kids-fishing.com, or by requesting information via email at info@kids-fishing.com, or by writing Hooked On Fishing International, P O Box 660, Ketchum, OK 74349.
