Fishing foundation fosters unique opportunity for orphans

What does it take to make an impact in a child’s life? Can a life be changed with just a fishing rod, line and hook?

Bob Wilder thinks so.

In 1990, after the tragically early death of his childhood friend Larry Hatchett, Wilder and some of Hatchett’s family and friends started the Larry Hatchett Fishing Foundation in his memory. The organization is dedicated to taking orphans and foster children fishing off the coast of Destin.

Hatchett in life was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing and teaching the sport to children. “His only regret about fishing was that he could never catch his first fish again,” Wilder wrote in an April 2008 letter to Fish Florida.

Wilder chose Destin for these fishing trips due to Hatchett’s affinity for the town. “Larry was in the (Destin Fishing) Rodeo. He used to call Destin ‘the capital of his soul,’ ” said Wilder.

The first year of the organization it treated 25 children with the opportunity to fish. This October, its 19th year, it will take more than 175. The children range in age from 5 to 17 years old and come from Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. From the second the kids leave for Destin everything is provided for them.

Although the fishing trip is the highlight of the weekend, the children have more to look forward to.

This year, on their first night in town, the children will be treated to dinner and entertainment provided by a local restaurant. Then they will stay in condos provided at no cost by ResortQuest. The following morning the kids will eat a breakfast provided by Cracker Barrel before heading out into the Gulf to try their luck.

On their return the kids will have the chance to take a photo of themselves with their catch and the reigning Miss Destin. Afterwards they will eat what they have caught during an awards banquet before heading off to a showing of “Fame” provided by Rave Motion Pictures in Destin.

The Building Industry Association gives $500 to help cover expenses and the International Game Fish Association donates food for lunch.

The project could not be a success without the help of dedicated volunteers and charitable donations from individuals and companies.

Pat and Sid Braunstien, residents of Santa Rosa Beach, have been donating their time to the foundation for the past five years. Sid became involved with the organization while working as a marketing and public relations manager for Bass Pro Shops in Destin.

“Bob Wilder walked in one day to buy supplies for the foundation. He explained the foundation and was looking for a discount and I went out of my way to make sure he got what he needed,” said Sid.

After Sid got involved it did not take much for Pat to dedicate herself as well. Her passion for the cause is apparent in her voice when she talks about what this opportunity means to the children. “Some of these kids have never even seen the Gulf, let alone been on a boat or caught a fish,” said Pat.

Since working with the foundation, Pat’s favorite memory happened a few years ago when the event coincided with some chilly weather.

“It was cold and we needed 125 coats for the kids. So I got on the radio at WZEP and asked the community to help out. Within two hours 140 coats had been donated. I had to fold the seat down just to fit them all in my car,” said Pat. “You should have seen the looks on these kids faces when you told them they could pick out a coat AND keep it.”

Captain Jim Westbrook of the fishing boats New Florida Girl and the American Spirit donates not only his boats for the use of the foundation, but also his time and the time of his crew.

“These kids haven’t had the greatest deck dealt to them. So we take them out there and do something they can all be successful at,” said Westbrook. “It’s fishing. Anyone can do it. These kids are a bit disenfranchised and fishing is accessible. It’s a good confidence builder for these young folks.”

Westbrook modestly downplays his own contribution to the foundation. “We just happen to be a vehicle to make these kids dreams come true,” said Westbrook.

If their dream has ever been to catch a fish it will come true.

“Jim Roberson of the International Game Fish Association has taken it onto himself the last three years to make sure every kid catches a fish,” said Wilder. “Even if we have to stay in the harbor and catch pinfish.”

Simple things like eating out or having the chance to cast a fishing line out are luxuries that these kids have never known.

“I got a letter from a little boy saying I had helped him achieve his lifelong goal. I kept reading and it turned out his dream had been to eat at McDonald’s,” said Wilder. “I learn something new every year. It puts my life in perspective and teaches me I’m not the most important thing around.”

“I would love to take 1,000 kids fishing one day. We’ll get there,” said Wilder.

Chaperones are still needed to help supervise the children, as well as to prepare and serve food. Those interested in helping the Larry Hatchett Fishing Foundation with a donation of food, money or time can contact Sid and Pat Braunstien at sidandpatb@earthlink.com.

For more information on the Larry Hatchett Fishing Foundation go to www.rocktoberfish.com.