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Help Take A Kid Ice Fishing

 Mar 18th, 2014 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Mar 18th, 2014 at 12:00 AM

Pink Boats For Hope.com along with the help of the NPAA Future Anglers Program gave five deserving children and their parents three fun filled days of fishing at the ice fishing capitol of the world.  Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau and Ballard’s Resort in Baudette, MN hosted the event and supported the families from HopeKids.org.  HopeKids.org is a non-profit organization whose sole mission is to help the children under age of 18 that are afflicted with a potential life threatening illnesses. Giving those kids an outlet to enjoy special events such as this to help in their emotional recovery.  Knowing that emotional wellness is just as important as physical wellness.

“The Future Angler Program, the Board of Directors from the NPAA, and Berkley fishing were instrumental in getting us the ice rods and reels to make this happen for the kids”, states Kevin Kerkvliet.  “The advice from Pat Neu and team around the event was a great help!  We planned for weeks getting the sponsors on board and working with the Joe Henry and Rachel Krohn from the Lake of The Woods Tourism Bureau, to give the kids a full agenda of activities.  From a photo op with “Willie the Walleye”, to snowshoeing, and eventually a full day of ice fishing in one of Ballard’s well heated shacks.” commented Dean Kaminski.

Pink Boats for Hope.com and HopeKids.org would like to thank our sponsors and their contributions to the event.  Lake of the Woods Tourism, Ballard’s Resort, DanLure Jigs, The Outdoor Report, The Outer Boundary Magazine, BC Propeller, Frankie’s Marine, Cabela’s in Rogers, MN, Tom’s Tackle in Baudette, Vado’s Bait and Tackle, JR’s Tackle.  We would like to specially thank the Lee County Schools for the use of the snowshoes for the kids and parents use.  Along with Jessie and Nick Anthony, owners of Ballard’s Resort, who without their help and support we could not have gotten this event done.

The Due North Outdoors crew was also there with us filming the event for a future airing on Due North Outdoors on Fox Sports North.  Bill Sherck and Laura Shara have a great story to tell around these kids and the bonding that occurred during the boys versus girls fishing tournament.  Bombardier rides, a fish fry and stories of the one that got away.