Our club hosts an annual "Hooked on Fishing" derby each fall at Olander Park in Sylvania. Kiwanis members serve as guides for 30 to 40 kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo. Often times, this outing is the first fishing experience for many of the kids.
This is always a very enjoyable community service program for our club. Our members look forward to the fishing derby each fall because it is a wonderful opportunity to teach the kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs, as well as their own children and grandchildren, about an outdoor activity that is readily available in our area. Conservation is also a key part of our message during the derby, it is a catch and release program and we stress the importance of protecting our natural resources.
It is a gratifying experience to see the face of a little boy or girl as they catch their first fish. Even though we have been doing this for so many years -- it never gets old! It is a fantastic way to give back to our community and maintain our mission of supporting the youth of central Toledo.
We couldn't do this without the help of our sponsor Maumee Tackle and the support of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division. Olander Park is also a great partner in providing a perfect venue. It is a collaborative effort - we've worked together now for a number of years to provide a fun and educational activity for the youth of our community. Our members love it!
