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AIM™ and the JJ Keller Foundation Present $10,000 to Akaska, SD Charity.

Category: npaa

 Aug 18th, 2010 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Aug 18th, 2010 at 12:00 AM

Plymouth, WI – August 17, 2010

Starting in 2011, all South Dakota youth with a parent deployed in the Armed Forces will have the opportunity to enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to fish Lake Oahe. This is possible thanks to a $10,000 grant awarded today by the AIM Pro Walleye Series™.

	Brian Keller presents a check for $10,000.00 to Bill Waeckerle, president of the South Dakota Walleye Classic & Festival in Akaska, SD

AIM is the only professional fishing circuit in North America to give back to nonprofit organizations in the communities it visits. The grant will help fund “South Dakota Youth Fishing for Freedom” charity, according to Bill Waeckerle, president of the South Dakota Walleye Classic & Festival in Akaska, SD. The festival, which routinely draws thousands of spectators to this tiny town of around 35 permanent residents next to Lake Oahe, was held Aug. 11-15.

Brian Keller presented Waeckerle the $10,000 check on behalf of AIM during the Day Three tournament weigh-in on Saturday, August 14th. Keller is an AIM Pro Angler and AIM stockholder who competed in the tournament. He was also representing the J.J. Keller Foundation, which has supported nonprofit organizations in other AIM tournament host locations in 2010. The J.J. Keller Foundation is the charitable extension of J. J. Keller & Associates of Neenah, Wis., the world’s largest publisher and servicing agent covering rules and regulations for transportation logistics, OSHA workplace safety, and human resources regulations.

“Both AIM and the J.J. Keller Foundation are extremely proud to support the effort that the South Dakota Walleye Classic & Festival is announcing to benefit the children of the Mount Rushmore State whose parents are serving our country. We are very happy to give these youngsters this opportunity, many of whom may be going fishing for the first time in their lives,” said Keller.

“Nonprofits like the Classic use the funds channeled through the AIM Pro Walleye Series™ to promote fishing and encourage a new generation to enjoy the outdoors.” Keller added. “This donation has special meaning for every pro here because of how it will be used.”

“This is not a one-time-only event,” explains Waeckerle. “We will continue the South Dakota Youth Fishing for Freedom program as long as we have deployed soldiers, thanks to the gift from the J.J. Keller Foundation and AIM. Both have been very generous to local organizations where there is an AIM Pro Walleye Series™ tournament, providing funds for the opportunity for young people to become involved in outdoor activities.”

“The South Dakota Walleye Classic & Festival has recognized for years the importance of youth fishing,” Waeckerle continued. “We’ve sponsored youth fishing activities at each of our three Classics. Through the generosity of the J.J. Keller Foundation, we will now be able to offer access to fishing to the youth of deployed soldiers from all across South Dakota.”

It is projected that as many as 300 youth will be invited to Akaska each summer starting in 2011. Waeckerle said that the support from AIM and the J.J. Keller Foundation would help organizers to cover all costs for lodging, meals and travel. Plans include having local anglers from Akaska join with volunteers from across the state to introduce these children to the sport of fishing.

For more information on the “South Dakota Youth Fishing for Freedom” program, contact Bill Waeckerle at 605-850-9738. For more information on AIM and the donations of the J.J. Keller Foundation, contact AIM CEO Scott Matheson at 920-526-3399. Further information about AIM as well as up-to-the-minute updates about tournaments can also be found at the AIM web site: www.aimfishing.com.

Anglers Insight Marketing, LLC™ (AIM) is a unique tournament organization which is owned by stockholders, the majority of which are Professional walleye anglers. AIM Professionals are among the “All Stars” of professional fishing, with cumulative HUNDREDS of years of tournament experience, including countless tournament victories, series championships, and Angler of the Year titles. This insight and knowledge is now being employed to provide the finest tournament experience for the participants, and the maximum exposure for the host tournament sites and corporate partners.

Additional AIM Marketing Partners:

South Dakota Office of Tourism, Bay Mills Resort & Casino, Lund Boat Company, Mercury Marine, Crestliner Boats, JJ Keller Fishing Team, Navionics, Fin-Tech Tackle, John Butts Outdoors, Rutting Ridge Outfitters,
Oahe Wings & Walleyes, Optima Batteries, Worldwide Marine Insurance,
Pier of d’Nort piers, Me and My Catch photo replicas, Reef Runner Lures, The Judge Tournament Ruler, Rite in the Rain Paper, G2 Angling, E-Z Lube Systems, Transducer Armor, Gemini Sports Marketing