Morehead / Wilmington Wish-A-Fish Event?

[Honey Hole]

In the time I've been on Sportfishermen.com, I've seen a lot of good things done for a lot of deserving folks... and I want to "step up to the plate" with my foundation... I'm looking for direction, and can't think of a better place to ask for it:

I'm wanting to hold a Wish-A-Fish event in Morehead City or Wilmington this summer, but am in desperate need of some local contacts to help make it happen.

Initially, I'd like the event to be on a Head Boat out of either place, or both, hosting ~20 families (per event). It'll be a 1/2 day trip followed by a cook-out and awards cerimony where each guest child will receive a rod/reel combo.

To see what the Wish-A-Fish Foundation is all about, check out the web site www.wish-a-fish.org. Our "mission" is to provide a day of relief to families challenged with raising a child with special needs. Our events are family oriented. As many of you may know, often the family suffers as much (if not more) than the child with special needs. We want to give them a day of fun, away from their daily stresses by helping them enjoy something we all have a passion for: FISHING.

So, here's what I'll need to get it going:
Head Boat Contact(s)
Area that's near-by to hold the cook-out (park, marina... anywhere that'll hold ~100 folks)
Someone to help as a local "organizer". A fishing club would be GREAT.
Volunteers to help orgainize the event, on the boat, and ashore.
Someone (or group of folks) to help find supporters (donors) for the event
/// Donors for food, tents, tackle box items, PA system, tables/chairs, raffle prizes (tackle/fishing trips/rods/reels/gift certificates/ etc.)///

What I'll provide:
All Rod/Reel combos for the kids
T-Shirts/Hats for everyone (families/volunteers)
Tents (if we can find a local company that'll donate in part, or in full... GREAT)
All the food, and fixin's for the cook-out.
6 Banquet Tables, chairs

The Wish-A-Fish Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 corp. Any donations are tax deductable. As with any organization like ours, we're "grass roots" and rely totally on the support of volunteers. I'm sure a lot of you guys have contacts in the area (Marinas, Tackle Shops, Boat Dealers) that I or the volunteers for this event can call on for support. YOUR support, wether it be at the event, or in helping to get the ball rolling, is what I'm asking for.

ADMIN/MARTY: If you feel this is not appropriate, I'll gladly delete the message.

Thanks, in advance, to you all. I'm certain, with the group of folks from that area that I've "indirectly met" on this site, I can bring a fantastic event for the area's special needs children.... and I'm thankful for the opportunity to do so. PLEASE, if you have ANY questions... fire away. Some of you who've attended events in VA or MD... please feel free to share your experience(s)/comments.

[wbfish]

Sounds like the Eddie Haneman Sailfish Tourney in a way. If you hold it in Wilmington I'll be glad to help out.

[Honey Hole]

Matt - THANKS (in advance). I'm not familiar with the Sailfish Tourney... can you post a link?

[rich]

When you decide where you would like to have it I will contact the local branch of the bank I work for and see if they will donate to your cause. When you get things firmed up a little let me know and I will see what I can do.

[gradywhite273]

IM in, money etc, my uncle was a special education teacher for 20 years, ive seen it first hand. I think this would be a great event for them.

[Honey Hole]

I know there's some head boats running out of Wilmington... are there boats in Morehead City too? Also, for those of you who are down there... is there a nearby venue for the cookout at either place?

Guys... thanks... It's good to know there's support for this type thing.

As one of my volunteers said at our first event 7 years ago, "It's good to be associated with fishermen who do more than just fish".

[hrdcor32]

All the headboats in the Wilmington area are at Carolina Beach, Winner Queen I think is one.

Continental Shelf is a great headboat in MHC

[gottaflylee]

Matt - THANKS (in advance). I'm not familiar with the Sailfish Tourney... can you post a link?

Give me a call, I'm one of the tournaments directors...
Needs for me to update it but...I can't stay home long enough to get it done...if only I had 3 of me...
http://www.gottaflyguideservice.com/page20.html

[cblocal]

Talk to Carl Winner in CB. Also a great club to contact done here is Got-em-on Live Bait Club almost all they do is charity and they are great bunch of guys and gals. I also know the majority of the people on this island so PM me if you need any help at all. By the way, my nephew is autistic and I think this is a great cause. I know what my sister and brother-in-law go through.

Ryan

[cblocal]

I know alot of members of Got em on so call me at (910) 477-0666.