The Big 3 Fishing Tournament held July 8 raised more than $655,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod & the Islands.
The event, in its ninth year, is the agency’s largest fundraiser and set the record for the most revenue generated for the agency’s mission in the region.
The event kicked off with a Captain’s Reception at the Harwich Port Boat Yard last Thursday evening. The fishing tournament took place on Friday from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. in waters surrounding the Cape and Nantucket, followed by an evening cocktail reception, dinner and a live auction at Wychmere Beach Club’s newest venue, Dune. Little Brother Nate Ludtke, 15, from Hyannis, was the event’s mission speaker and gave a powerful testimony about the impact of his six-year friendship with his Big Brother Paul Manganella from Bourne.
The tournament had been sold out for weeks, capping attendance for Friday’s tournament reception at 240 guests, with 46 boats registered to fish the tournament. The biggest fish weighed in was a 15.4 pound striped bass led by Bill Scratchard from Team “Raider” and a 12.2 pound bluefish led by Seamus Muldoon from Team “Jail Break.”
“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of our Cape & Islands community” said JR Mell, Regional Director of BBBS of Cape Cod & the Islands. “This event combines our supporters love of fishing and our community, to make a direct impact on the kids we serve. Our agency is so thankful for the Big 3 leadership tournament committee members: Shawn DeLude, John Our, Jeff Leerink, Chris Cooney, Chris Lynch, Jonas Baker, Courtney Bridge, Ben Crago, Kyle Prussing, and Jeff Perry, in collaboration with BBBS Sr. Philanthropy Officer, Christa Danilowicz, whose commitment and dedication has led to this event’s success.”
Since its inception, the Big 3 Fishing Tournament has raised more than $3.15 million and contributed to the agency creating more than 1,110 new mentoring friendships for under-resourced youth on the Cape and Islands.
If you are interested in learning more about volunteering for BBBS of Cape Cod & the Islands, or making a donation, visit www.capebigs.org
