NPAA Member Marianne Huskey Joins forces with Fishing Has No Boundaries for 2011
Dec 9th, 2010 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Dec 9th, 2010 at 12:00 AM
During the cold months of winter in 2010 at the Green Bay, Wisconsin Fishing Show Marianne Huskey NPAA#150 met Kathy and Gerry Overman at the “Fishing Has No Boundaries” booth. That introduction led to an affiliation between Marianne and FHNB. Marianne was living in Michigan at that time and she offered to start a FHNB start a chapter in Michigan.
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One month later Marianne was at a planning meeting with Connie Winkler from Bay Mills Resort and Casino in Brimley, Michigan to discuss an upcoming NPAA Youth Clinic. During that meeting Connie shared that Bay Mills was looking to work with a non-profit community service organization at the AIM tournament event that was to be held in June of 2010. With her recent affiliation with FHNB, Marianne suggest they would be a perfect partner for the event. They decided to invite Kathy and Gerry Overman from FHNB attended the AIM tournament.
Most of us think that going fishing is as easy as a walk down to the lake…. For over 56 million Americans with disabilities it’s not that simple. During the NPAA Youth Clinic at that event Kathy and Gerry were approached by the grandmother of a boy named Kalen. Due to a birth defect Kalen had one arm that extends only to the elbow therefore hindering his ability to cast a fishing rod. His Grandmother expressed how she would love to see him be able to participate with the other children for the casting contest. Kathy and Gerry showed Kalen’s grandmother the “Enjoy the Fight” brace that they have used for many people in the past. Gerry showed Kalen how to use the brace and helped Kalen attach the brace to his shoulder. With Kalen’s eyes lit up the four of them found a spot in the parking lot to teach him how to use the brace to cast Kalen’s new fishing rod and reel that he had received from the NPAA at the Youth Clinic. Within minutes Kalen was casting like a pro. A few weeks after the tournament Kathy spoke to Kalen’s mother and she was so thrilled at how Kalen had spent each day down at the water with his new brace casting his rod and reel.
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During 2011 Marianne will be helping spread the word about physically and mentally challenged people of all ages. Together FHNB and Marianne will also work to promote programs for our challenged youth throughout the Midwest! To show her dedication to FHNB’s Programs, Marianne and FHNB have set a goal to give back to those who have been there to support our county! In 2011 FHNB and Marianne plan to invite one of our country’s “Wounded Warriors” to pre-fish with Marianne at each of the AIM Pro Walleye Series tournaments. If you know a “Wounded Warrior” who has fought for our freedom as a member of the United States Armed forces and you have interest in having them fish with Marianne contact Kathy Overman at Fishing Has No Boundaries @ 715-634-3185 or 800-243-3462.
Fishing Has No Boundaries, Inc. is a unique “one-of-a-kind” non-profit, educational 501(c)(3) National Volunteer Organization dedicated to assisting the 53 million disabled individuals in the United States. Creating a public awareness of the problems facing persons with disabilities has become a prime focus of FHNB, Inc. and they have become a source for more information on adaptive equipment and accessibility. Fishing Has No Boundaries will hold multiple events around the country to assist our challenged Americans to get out fishing. If you would like to volunteer or donate to these programs you can find more information on our website: www.fhnbinc.org
The NPAA is a non-profit organization focused on growing the sport of fishing and increasing the professionalism of its members. Its Supporting Partners include: Northland Fishing Tackle, Navionics, Mercury Marine, Evinrude Outboards, Lund Boats, Ranger Boats, The Next Bite, Wildlife Forever, Frabill, U.S. Forest Service, Sea Grant, Outdoor First Media, Advanced Tex Screen Printing, Pro-Staff Gear, Worldwide Marine Underwriters, Prairie Pillow Sportsman’s Lodge, Off-Shore Tackle, Fin-Tech Tackle, Berkley, AIM Pro Walleye Series, Masters Walleye Circuit, FLW Outdoors, Liddle Marketing, FPS Financial Planning Services, Do-it Corp., Optima Batteries, John Butts Outdoors, Pasha Lake Cabins, Oahe Wings and Walleyes Guide Service, Fleet Graphics and Fish On Kids Books. More NPAA member and association news can be viewed at www.npaa.net.