MARIETTA, Ohio — The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA), Ohio AFL-CIO and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 972 hosted the fifth annual Marietta Take Kids Fishing Day at Buckeye Park on Saturday, Sept. 13.
Organized through the USA’s Work Boots on the Ground program, the event was part of a series of free, community-based youth outreach events. All 74 participants, ages 2 to 15, received a free rod-and-reel to continue fishing after the event, along with a picnic lunch of hot dogs, chips, and drinks. According to Ohio AFL-CIO representative Mike French, funds raised from the USA’s Ohio Conservation Dinner helped make the event possible.
“It’s just a joy to see the look on their faces,” French said about working with kids. “This event was a big deal to a lot of these kids. Every kid gets to eat and gets a t-shirt and a fishing pole. This might be the highlight of their summer.”
French shared why union members continue to volunteer at this event year after year.
“Union members wouldn’t volunteer if they didn’t enjoy making memories with their kids and their grandkids,” he said. “We’re all a close-knit brotherhood. We’re all thankful to have the opportunity and funding to do it. These are memories you can’t get back if you miss them.”
Among the volunteers was IBEW Local 972 member Nichole Webster, who explained why she was involved.
“I was motivated to participate in this event as a way to be more involved in my community and help give back,” she said. “I believe others should consider getting involved – not only to help give back, but to help show the care that our organization has for the public.”
Webster added that the goal is for kids and their families to gain a sense of respect for nature, develop new skills and learn patience.
“It was great to see the excitement and the pride that the kids had for catching their fish, and it really brings into perspective why we do these events and the effect it has on the kids,” Webster said.
French is proud to be a part of this event.
“It makes you feel good knowing that despite challenges in the world around us, we were able to do this and, if nothing else, play a small part in making their world a better place,” French said.
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.
