CBAF and the Toys for the Troops Kids was a not only a great success but a very meaningful experience.
When I wrote Western Bass.com I couldn’t believe how well the toy drive was received by Tony Stoltz and his wonderful staff. Like Tony and his staff the spirit of giving was truly unbelievable. The spirit of Christmas and the true appreciation of our troops were there in full force.
Friday night at the sign ups, hosted by Phil’s Propeller, was the sign of something very special. To start off with, as we were signing up the teams people would pull their trucks and cars up and start unloading toys. These people weren’t even fishing the tournament. The sign ups were to start at 6:00 p.m. and the people were showing up at 4:00 not only to sign up but to drop off toys.
Our friend Greg Gutierrez CITGO Bassmaster Elite series angler showed up to not only drop off toys but to enter into the tournament. Pro John Harper not only had his load of toys but he had to stop off in Red Bluff to pick up a bunch of toys from someone who couldn’t make it to the event. Jim Davis a bay area pro came up to Shasta with over fifty toys. Terry White and his Snag Proof pro staff showed up in full force not only to drop off toys but they came and entered the tournament. Mike Tuck, Kenny Schmitt, and so many other great anglers from all over came to this event.
I could go on and on about the giving that we witness from our bass fishing community. We are all brothers in Christ and brothers in the sport of Bass Fishing. The weather was cold, wet and windy but that didn’t stop the anglers from competing.
The tournament started off with Mike Baker singing the National Anthem and what a great job he did as all the contestants were applauding his performance. Even with the terrible weather thirty nine teams showed up to support the troops toys for kids drive. For the results check out www.thecbaf.com and find out who the winners were and their weight.
After everyone weighed in we took off to Redding to the Twin View Church which was the host church. The good people from the church all volunteers served us a hot soup and salad dinner. All part of the event. There we recognized two soldiers that just came back from tours of duty in Iraq. We then heard a good message from the pastor and called it a day.
Two Hundred fifty toys delivered the very next day was the best part of the tournament. To know that we did our part each and everyone of us to help support the young men and women of the armed forces and their families, is what it was all about. The Bass fishing community came through like I knew they would.
I want to say thank you to so many people. First thank you goes out to Westernbass.com for all the press. Thank you, Jim Davis and all your friends for their contribution to the children. Thank you to Justin Wolff for your support. Thank you to all the good people in Redding and the Lake Shasta community. Thank you Greg Gutierrez for showing us that great anglers like yourself appreciate your freedom and all the men and women of the armed forces who protect you and your family. Thank you goes out to Paul Baker, Dave Tencati and all the volunteers at Christian Bass Anglers Fellowship for making a difference in people’s lives. Merry Christmas to you all and may God Bless America.
Thanks everyone,
Jerry Fournier
bassin@jerryfournier.com
www.jerryfournier.com
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