Since EIL first introduced you to the local non-profit Kids Can Fish Foundation and its young founder Caroline Lewis in May 2021, they have been steadily growing. They have held seven camps and have worked independently with a handful of disabled children. More than 100 people attended the last camp they held in July! Caroline, who turns 12 in October and just started middle school, is still active in her mission to get kids involved in the outdoors. She remains the organization’s influencer and serves as a leading member of its instructional staff. Last year, this enthusiastic young angler met fishing legend Guy Harvey on two occasions and was featured in Guy Harvey Magazine. Her father Tom couldn’t be more proud! If you’d like to see her in action, she’ll be hosting a cast netting clinic on the beach at Massengale on St. Simons Island sometime in late August or early September.
An even better opportunity to see Caroline and the Kids Can Fish Foundation at work is during the upcoming St. Simons Island Running of the Bulls Charity Redfish Tournament on October 8-9. The beaches of the Golden Isles are considered some of the best bull redfish fishing locations in the world, and this tournament, hosted by and benefiting Kids Can Fish takes advantage of that. Held on East Beach, the SSI Running of the Bulls Charity Redfish Tournament is one of the largest youth and adult surf style redfish tournaments on the East Coast. Adults will compete for cash prizes and kids will win high end fishing gear, trophy, and other sponsor related prizes. Registration is $65 for adults and $35 for kids 15 years of age and younger.
Funds raised by this event help Kids Can Fish provide free fishing camps for youths and underprivileged or disabled children. Tom Lewis explains, “As the tournament is the official end to our fundraising and camp season, this event is extremely important for us. The SSI Running of the Bulls has over 30 sponsors and can help us raise enough revenue to fund our entire year for 2023. Hosting camps can cost close to $2,000 per camp depending on the number of participants we have, so perpetual fundraising is critical.”
If you can’t compete by fishing, you’re still welcome to join the fun and support Kids Can Fish at the tournament’s Kick Off Party with food trucks, beverages, and music at Port City Park on Friday, October 7 from 6:00-10:00 p.m. or the awards banquet at Bennie’s Red Barn on October 9th from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Both events are open to the public with no tickets or registration required and will feature incredible raffles and auction items and some free giveaways. For more details about the tournament and registration, visit kidscanfish.net.
