PHILADELPHIA — Young anglers in Philadelphia went fishing in FDR Park in June with football players from the Philadelphia Eagles.
The young anglers included members of the Mid-Atlantic Youth Angler & Outdoors Program, the Sports for Juvenile Justice Program and the Tacony Police Athletic League. AT this event, the Mid-Atlantic Youth Angler & Outdoors Program received The Ike Foundation’s first grant.
The Ike Foundation is a nonprofit founded by Bassmaster Elite Series pro Mike Iaconelli and his wife, Becky. Started in January 2015, the organization collects new and gently used rods, reels and other gear and donates them to children.
“If it were not for Todd Pride and the Mid-Atlantic Youth Anglers, most of these kids would never experience the fun of fishing,” said Mike Iaconelli, “much less the chance to spend an afternoon with such positive role models as these professional athletes.
“My thanks to the people who donated to The Ike Foundation who helped make this and future events possible.”
The Mid-Atlantic Youth Anglers was founded seven years ago and has introduced more than 7,500 youth to fishing and conservation activities. Its mission is to train students for the path to college through fishing, boating and scholarship-awarding competitions. More than 600 colleges sponsor bass fishing teams nationally, with some offering financial aid as part of their sports programs.
To learn more about the Mid-Atlantic Youth Anglers, follow the organization on Facebook. To learn more about The Ike Foundation, visit its website here.
