By Cindy Schutt
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward needs boat captains to volunteer their boats, time and talent to host Little Brothers and Little Sisters and their Bigs at the mentoring organization’s 41st Annual Fishing Tournament presented by Moss Construction. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on August 14 at Bahia Mar Marina.
Approximately 50 boats are needed to accommodate Big Brothers Big Sisters young people and their mentors. Currently, 18 captains have volunteered their boats for the tournament.
“This tournament creates such special memories for our Little Brothers and Little Sisters, so we’re really hoping the boating community will step up and offer their assistance” said Malena Mendez, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward. “This is a unique opportunity for our young people we serve, many of whom have never been fishing.”
The Fishing Tournament is possible thanks to the generosity of many supporters including presenting sponsor Moss Construction.
“We’re very pleased to support this fun fishing event for Big Brothers Big Sisters kids,” said Chad Moss, Executive Vice President of Moss Construction. “Plus, we’re proud to further the mission of the organization, helping youth find a trajectory that leads to future success.”
In addition to presenting sponsor Moss Construction, sponsors of the Annual Fishing Tournament include Atlantic Pacific Community Builders; Bahia Mar Marina; Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach; Fish Florida; JM Family Enterprises; and GMS Law.
The volunteer chairperson for the Annual Fishing Tournament committee is Big Brothers Big Sisters Board Member Cheryl Seinfeld. Committee members include fellow board members Bill Saunderson, Fatima Perez and John Corrado as well as John Weller, who founded the tournament in 1979.
Weller, a retired yacht broker and Fort Lauderdale resident, created the Annual Fishing Tournament to ensure that Broward County children could enjoy boating as much as he does. Because of his efforts working with the Big Brothers Big Sisters team, the fishing tournament is one of the longest-running fishing tournaments in the area, having hosted hundreds Big/Little matches since the tournaments launch 42 years ago. Weller, a five-time cancer survivor, is the founder of Freedom Waters, a non-profit organization that takes children with cancer out on boats.
