Minneapolis, Minn. (May 20, 2011) - For thirteen years, a small bass club in southern Minnesota has quietly been going about their organization's business of enjoying fishing together and doing good things for the people around them. That vision created a fishing tournament on pools four and five of the Mississippi River, that in 1999, netted $7500 to donate to their charitable cause: St Jude Children's Research Hospital. Committed to doing even more, this group of fishermen, led in those early years by Scott Bonnema, Dick Hiley and Frank Pillsbury to name a few, grew the proceeds to over $150,000 in the recent May 2011 event. "When you add all 13 years together, this year crossed the million dollar mark," shared George Liddle, tournament committee member, Midwest Ranger Boats representative and sponsor for all 13 years. "I'm proud of what the Zumbro Valley Bassmasters has accomplished, but also for Ranger Boats' assistance for all these years. We love being involved with something that uses fishing to achieve goals that reach far beyond fishing."
Held out of Wabasha, Minnesota, the event has an entry fee of $400 per team and has reached the 75-80 boat range for entries. However, that does not tell the whole story. "Each team fundraises for their own boat," shared Dick Dorman, 2011 tournament committee chairman. "When teams raise $1,500 or more, they get a 50% kicker on their payout winnings if they land in the money." First place pays out $5,000; with the kicker, it is $7,500. "We've had teams organize and raise five grand, ten grand or more," continued Dorman. "One group of eight teams got together in Rochester and raised $36,000. It has become just as much of a competition on fundraising for this group of fishermen as it is a competition about fishing." What a beautiful thing to witness.
Amanda Cahow, Regional Marketing Manager for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Minneapolis fundraising office, couldn't agree more. "On behalf of the kids of St. Jude and the folks involved with the Dick Hiley St. Jude Bass Classic, many thanks for the continued effort over 13 years," shared Cahow. "It's really the kids of St. Jude that won this tournament. Because of your support, we've crossed the $1 million mark...and then some! Congratulations."
The tournament was retitled The Dick Hiley St Jude Bass Classic after key club member and tournament committee chair Dick Hiley, passed away from his own battle with cancer in 2006. "My partner and I won the first tournament," reminisced Scott Bonnema, bass angler from Rogers, Minnesota. "The reason I'll never forget it isn't about the size of the purse. We were flown down to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, and we toured the facility. It made a lasting impression on me for what we, as anglers and avid outdoorsmen, can do to help these kids and their families. It is very impressive. I'm very proud to have been involved all these years, too."
"This just shows what big hearts the outdoor community has," added Liddle. "The creativity, striving for more-all to help provide services for sick kids through St Jude, is one of the reasons I love being in the business of selling boats. These are great people doing amazing things, and I'm proud to be associated with them."
