Clarks Hill Toys For Tots Anglers Noted For Having Big Hearts, Open Pocketbooks
Fishermen are notorious for having huge hearts when it comes to children, especially disadvantaged or seriously ill children, so it’s no wonder that the Toys for Tots Tournament on Clarks Hill Lake will be celebrating 34 years of giving in the tournament on Nov. 28.
The Clarks Hill Fish for Life Foundation, which supports programs that positively influence the lives of children in the Central Savannah River Area through fishing tournaments and other events, will mark its fourth year of administering the Toys for Tots tournament. The foundation took over the tournament when Bill Harley, who ran Southern Anglers Challenge and held the Toys for Tots Tournament for years, began having health problems since it fit right in with the foundation’s mission.
“One of the things that always impresses me is how a lot of the local anglers who have fished the tournament for years and years – even though the entry fee includes two $10 toys – will bring five or six bicycles and donate them,” said Jay Jennings with the Fish for Life Foundation. “And we have a number of anglers who, instead of giving toys, will drop $100, some even $200, into the pot for the kids. Hosting the Toys for Tots Tournament is a really heartwarming thing for us to do.”
And, Jennings said, it’s not just the anglers who open their pocketbooks for the kids.
“A lot of companies in the CSRA donate to the tournament and a lot of other businesses have their own Toys for Tots effort. There are a number of organizations that do Toys for Tots this time of year – we just happen to do the fishing side.”
Jennings said Bobby Jones Ford, which is a Fish for Life sponsor, has also come on board as a supporter of the Toys for Tots Tournament.
“We are holding our pre-registration at Bobby Jones Ford on Wrightsboro Road, Tuesday, Nov. 24, from 5 to 7 p.m.,” he said. Entry fee for the tournament is $100 plus $5 for the Big Fish Pot and two new toys valued at $10 or more each. First place is guaranteed $5,000 with a 100-boat field, plus one place will be paid for every 10 boats.
Not only is the tournament a heartwarming experience for the organizers and for the fishermen, Jennings said the fishing is expected to be very good for the tournament also.
“Paula Alexander, who supports most of our Fish for Life events, won the Saturday Morning Open Team Tournament last weekend with over 20 pounds and her big fish was about 6 ½ pounds,” Jennings said. “It’s going to take some weight to win the Toys for Tots Tournament. My guess is it will take at least 20 to 21 pounds.”
34th Annual Toys for Tots Tournament
Sat, Nov 28, 2015
Clarks Hill Lake
Wildwood Park
Call Jay Jennings at 706-373-7677
