Disabled Kids Day At Whiskey Creek Hatchery

[Thumper]

Fortunately Jennie's Ifishstock event fell on the same day as the disabled kids fishing day at the all-volunteer Whiskey Creek hatchery. I stopped by the hatchery before the Ifish event and was blown away by what I saw. Hundreds of kids (and disabled adults too) having the time of their lives catching huge rainbows with volunteers standing at the side of each fisherman. Smiles a mile wide on all. Volunteers by the dozens who just seemed to know the right things to do to make it a perfect day for the disabled.

Jerry Dove and his team should be so proud of what they have accomplished. What a great model for all of us to follow. Truly if you want to get something done just put together a group of busy people and they will make it happen. We could all do a lot worse than joining Tillamook Anglers. What a great group!

Congratulations to the volunteers at the Whiskey Creek hatchery.

[Jennie@ifish]

It was far and away above any expectation I had for that event.
I knew it would be great, but I didn't realize I couldn't handle the emotional excitement of helping these special kids.
I couldn't keep a dry eye!
Jerry is awesome! He and the team at Tillamook Anglers are a troup of angels!
:smile:
Jen

[NEUTRON]

Thanks for posting Jack and Jen, really cool.

[Jerry Dove]

Hey, it was a great day. Our 11th fishing day for kids with disibilities, and our best and biggest ever. Jen your right it is hard to do this with dry eyes, but worth all the tears. These are truly special kids, and adults. Tillamook Anglers thanks all the volunters that showed up to help. Also thanks to Fred Meyer, Pizza Hut, Pepsi, Tillamook ice cream, Franz Bakery, 3rd Street Deli and Texaco, Tillamook Sporting Goods, Kimmles Sporting Goods, and Columbia Sport wear and ODFW for the Trout. Now lets not let the hatcheries close, or this could be the last time we do this. Jerry

[SKP]

To all volunteers,

Thank you very much for doing this for the kids! My friend has a son in third grade with leukemia. He was able to catch some nice trout. He came to me today and told me how fun that was. Between him and his brother and two small sisters, they caught 14 nice size rainbows!

This is a wonderful event! I can hear all the ifishers applauding you right now! My friend is not hooked up to the internet, so I am passing on a personal thank you from the Borchardt family.

:cheers: :cheers:

This is what it is all about!

SKP

[THE KIWANDA KID]

I couldn't make it this year because of a date I had with a pig. :wink: I've been to this event in the past and if you have a decent bone in the ol' bod' you should contribute your time if you can. I am not afraid to tell you that I had a good cry when it was done and a few while it was happening but they are tears of joy. Imagine child who has little control or no control at all of their body but has a love for fishing. As you are helping this child reel in the big one you can FEEl their whole body/being light up and they are shaking with excitement! It can realy tear you up knowing they may only get this experience once a year and for some possibly only once at all. To the Tillamook anglers and Jerry dove I applaud you on the unselfish work you do and the happy memories you give to those special kids and adults. This is another reason we need to continue to fight for our hatcheries folks so please do what you can and try to find the time to volunteer sometime. :smile: