Please select your home edition
Edition
RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD

Union Fire Fighters Team with USA, Ohio AFL-CIO to host Chillicothe Youth Fishing Event

by Dan Johnson 17 Apr 2019 02:47 AEST 13 April 2019
Union volunteers hosted 187 kids during Fish With A Fire Fighter Day April 13 at Yoctangee Park in Chillicothe, Ohio © Union Sportsmen’s Alliance

Members of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 300 held their annual Fish With A Fire Fighter Day April 13, hosting 187 young anglers at Yoctangee Park in Chillicothe, Ohio.

The free event, designed to introduce local youngsters ages two to 15 to conservation and the joys of fishing, has a rich history in Chillicothe, according to Local 300 President Jason Ferryman. "Our Fish With A Fire Fighter Day is a long-standing tradition that the kids and their families look forward to every year," he said. "The kids get the chance to fish for rainbow trout in the park's manmade lake and enjoy a picnic-style lunch with their families, while our fire fighters get the opportunity to interact with members of our community."

This year, for the first time, Local 300 teamed up with the Ohio AFL-CIO and Union Sportsmen's Alliance (USA), Ferryman added, "to help make the event bigger and better than ever before. We can't thank them enough for their assistance in making our day a huge success."

The USA helped organize the Chillicothe event as part of Work Boots on the Ground the organization's flagship conservation program. It was produced with support from USA national conservation partners Provost Umphrey Law Firm, Pure Fishing and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation.

Twenty-two IAFF volunteers and three Ohio AFL-CIO volunteers donated well over 100 hours in planning, preparation and during the event itself, helping youngsters rig equipment, hone casting skills and play feisty fish.

"Organized labor has a strong tradition of lifting up our local communities, and we are pleased to participate in the Fish With A Fire Fighter Day in Chillicothe," said Tim Burga, president of the Ohio AFL-CIO, based in Columbus. "IAFF Local 300 does an outstanding job of putting this event together and we're happy to be part of itespecially when it involves fostering a love of the outdoors in the younger generation."

During the registration/check-in process, the young anglers received a free rod-and-reel combo, courtesy of Pure Fishing. Then, with help from family members and fire fighter volunteers, they spent several hours catching hungry trout that had been stocked the previous day by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

"They had a fantastic time," said AFL-CIO Field Director Jeanette Mauk, who was on hand to help register and organize the eager anglers. "For a lot of kids, it was their first experience fishing, and they were overjoyed that they got to take the rod and reel home with them.

"Afterwards, close to 300 kids, family members and volunteers enjoyed a delicious picnic meal of hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, potato salad and fruit," she added. "It was a wonderful and very busy day."

Related Articles

Inaugural Hobie Wave Grand Prix set for September
Championship level event to be held at Vincentia Sailing Club The NSW Hobie Cat Association, in conjunction with the Vincentia Sailing Club, are proud to release the Notice of Race and official open entries for the 2025 NSW Hobie Wave State Championships. Posted today at 5:55 am
iQFOiL International Games day 2
Patience rewarded with full-throttle foiling After a long wait for wind yesterday, Day 2 at the iQFOiL International Games delivered exciting racing across all categories at the 2025 Kieler Woche. Posted on 22 Jun
2025 Morgan Cup Race Preview
Over 100 boats expected to be on Yacht Squadron Line with crew competing from 24 different nations The Morgan Cup Race is the tenth race of the RORC Season's Points Championship—the world's largest offshore racing series. It is also the fourth race of the inaugural Cowes Offshore Racing Series. Posted on 22 Jun
Kieler Woche Day 2
The Olympic skiffs sorted themselves into gold and silver fleets after four daily races Subtropical sailing conditions with a light but sufficient breeze delighted the athletes on Sunday (June 22) on the second regatta day of Kieler Woche. Posted on 22 Jun
24th Argentario Sailing Week overall
A nail-biting finish saw last second changes in the overall results making for a perfect final day For the past four days, sailing history has come to life before crowds of enthusiasts, with yachts and sailors who have written its pages battling to claim first place at the Argentario Sailing Week, organised by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano. Posted on 22 Jun
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez preview
Looking ahead to the 27th edition The elegance of the Classics, the power of the Moderns, the majesty of the Maxis. This dreamlike combination, a legacy of the Nioulargue, will once again come together in the stunning setting of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez from September 27 to October 5. Posted on 22 Jun
Kieler Woche Day 1
German frontrunners in the 49er and 49er FX classes Fantastic summer weather with light but quite variable winds meant a reduced sailing program for more than 2000 participants at the start of Kieler Woche on Saturday (21 June). Posted on 22 Jun
DYSC Marine Supplies Winter Series Race 1
Pin end strategy leads Ginan to victory Under crisp winter skies and a solid northerly breeze, the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria's (ORCV) DYSC Marine Supplies Winter Series Race 1 delivered spectacular racing this weekend. Posted on 22 Jun
Swan One Design Worlds 2025 concludes
35 yachts, 30 nations, 4 dynamic classes – a celebration of racing, connection, and ClubSwan spirit The 2025 Swan One Design Worlds, the flagship event of the ClubSwan Racing Nations League, concluded today in Porto Cervo after an unforgettable week that brought together 35 yachts across four one-design classes and over 30 nations. Posted on 21 Jun
The Nations League Swan One Design Worlds overall
Earlybird clinches ClubSwan 50 World Championship title The Porto Cervo leg of The Nations League - Swan One Design Worlds, an event organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda with ClubSwan Racing, drew to a close today. Posted on 21 Jun
Henri-Lloyd Dynamic RangeZhik 2024 DecemberSelden 2020 - FOOTER