Spring Hill, Tennessee More than 250 youth had the opportunity to wet a line and fish at Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) Take Kids Fishing Day free community events held in four different Wisconsin cities over the weekend of fishing free from the state
To entice newcomers to try the sport, Wisconsin’s Free Fishing Weekend allows people to go fishing without having to purchase a license. In addition, Take Kids Fishing Day events, organized by local union volunteers through the US Work Boots on the Ground program, are designed to introduce youth to the sport of fishing and encourage interest in outdoor activities. Free, at no cost to parents or guardians. .
On Saturday, June 3, the South Central Wisconsin Building Trades Council (BTC), Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO, and Western Wisconsin Building Trades Council, along with the Greater West Central Area Labor Council, held fishing events in Madison, La Crosse, and Eau Claire. , respectively. Additionally, the South Central Wisconsin BTC hosted an event in Beloit on Sunday, June 4.
At Carson Park in Eau Claire, 20 budding anglers, mentored by 10 union volunteers from Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 434, Ironworkers Local 512, and IBEW Locals 14 and 955, spent a few hours learning how to bait hooks, cast lines, and catch park bluegills. small lake. Afterward, they and their families enjoyed a picnic lunch of hot dogs and grilled sausage.
Union volunteers have been organizing Take Kids Fishing Day events in Eau Claire for nine years, according to Greg Erickson, business agent for Plumbers Local 434 and organizer of the event. “It’s about getting kids outdoors and teaching them basic fishing skills that they can use for the rest of their lives,” he says.
In Madison, 75 youth participated in the fishing event at Vilas Park. “It was hot and sunny, but the cool breeze off the lake made it a perfect fishing day,” says Jaclyn Weitzel, executive director of BTC of South Central Wisconsin. “The kids caught a lot of fish, including a couple of them that caught some good largemouth bass.”
Throughout the entire process, from assembling the fishing tackle to training the young fishermen to preparing a picnic lunch for the participants and their families, 36 union volunteers donated their time to this community event, he adds.
The young La Crosse fishermen mentored 11 union volunteers from IAM Locals 21 and 1115, Plumbers and Steamfitters 434, IBEW 14, AFSCME 101 and American Federation of Teachers Local 4999.
All young anglers who participated in Take Kids Fishing Day events received a free rod and reel and a goody bag containing essential US items, along with a foundation of knowledge and skills they need to continue. fishing with his family. and friends.
In all, 68 union volunteers from 20 local unions and affiliate organizations throughout Wisconsin donated hours of their time to plan the events and train the young anglers.
“That’s a strong testament to our union members’ commitment to doing good and giving back to their communities,” says US Conservation Coordinator Cody Campbell. “These volunteers not only taught the kids in their neighborhoods how to fish, but also helped them to appreciate nature more and the importance of taking care of our natural resources.”
The Wisconsin events were part of a series of free, community-based Take Kids Fishing Day events organized through the US Work Boots on the Ground program with support from US national partners. Provost Umphrey Law Firm, Union Plus, and Humana, as well as partners UIG, ULLICO, Bank of Labor, AFL-CIO Investment Trust Corporation, and Buck Knives.
Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA): USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to unions whose members hunt, fish, shoot, and volunteer their skills for conservation. America is uniting the union community through conservation to preserve North America’s outdoor heritage. For more information, visit www.unionsportsmen.org or connect on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Ground Work Boots (WBG): WBG is America’s flagship conservation program that brings together union members willing to volunteer their time and expertise for conservation projects that enhance and enhance public access to the outdoors, conserve wildlife habitat, they restore America’s parks and mentor youth in the great outdoors. The US Work Boots on the Ground program works closely with federal, state and local agencies and other conservation groups to provide the labor needed to complete critical projects that might otherwise go undone.