Union Volunteers and Priest Holmes Foundation Weather the Storm to Hook San Antonio’s Next Generation
SAN ANTONIO, Texas –The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA), in partnership with the Priest Holmes Foundation and the San Antonio Building and Construction Trades Council (BCTC), hosted another successful Take Kids Fishing Day on Saturday, May 9, at South Side Lions Park. Despite a stormy start to the morning, the clouds parted to welcome 250 community members, including 130 young anglers, for a day of outdoor learning and connection.
The annual event is designed to introduce youths under 15 to the joys of fishing. With free fishing poles and lunch provided to all participants, children cast their lines into Lions Park Lake under the guidance of dedicated union mentors and volunteers.
“We had more kids than last year, and even with rain in the morning, people turned out in force,” said USA Conservation Coordinator Maggie Sager. “Once the weather cleared, it turned into a beautiful day for the families. It’s great to see the event keep growing.”
Sager noted that the event has become a staple for the community, with several moms carrying flowers as part of a Mother’s Day weekend outing. She emphasized that the impact is often most visible in the repeat attendees. “I recognized some of the families from last year,” Sager said. “Getting to see them come back is so fun, and they recognized me, too. A lot of folks walk up and don’t initially know what the BCTC or USA are, but by the time they leave, they’ve seen firsthand how union members show up for this city.”
San Antonio BCTC Secretary-Treasurer Shane Denn and President James May were on hand to lead the efforts. May, who brought his two sons to help, noted the importance of the visibility this event provides for local labor groups.
“This kind of outreach puts a good light on us. A lot of people don’t realize that unions even exist in South Texas,” said May, who also serves as regional manager for Sheet Metal Workers Local 67. “It shows parents that unions are family-friendly. And events like this are a real melting pot; there was someone from just about every walk of life out there. It’s awesome”
The event also relied on the support of volunteers from the Priest Holmes Foundation. Among them was Dario Hernandez, a union mason and owner of a local construction company, who brought a personal perspective to the event.
“I’m a diehard fisherman,” he said. A father of 10, Hernandez brought some of his kids to lend a hand. “My kids range from 8 to 32, and they’re out there helping other kids learn how to bait a hook and cast. This is such a great outreach opportunity. It’s about teaching kids, who maybe can’t afford gear, how to fish and practice a little patience. If we can put a smile on their faces, we’ve done our job.”
Take Kids Fishing Day is part of USA’s Work Boots on the Ground initiative, a conservation program that brings together union members to volunteer their time and skills for conservation projects and events that benefit communities nationwide.
Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA): The USA is a union-dedicated, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose members hunt, fish, shoot and volunteer their skills for conservation. The USA is uniting the union community through conservation to preserve North America’s outdoor heritage. For more information, visit www.unionsportsmen.org or connect on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram.
Work Boots on the Ground (WBG): WBG is the USA’s flagship conservation program that brings together union members willing to volunteer their time and expertise to conservation projects that improve and enhance public access to the outdoors, conserve wildlife habitat, restore America’s parks and mentor youth in the outdoors. The USA’s Work Boots on the Ground program works closely with federal, state and local agencies and other conservation groups to provide manpower needed to complete critical projects that may otherwise go undone.
