Classic anglers visit children’s hospital

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Several Classic competitors boarded a bus today on one of their only days off…
Several Classic competitors boarded a bus today on one of their only days off…
…and made a trip to visit St. Francis Children’s Hospital in Tulsa, Okla.
…and made a trip to visit St. Francis Children’s Hospital in Tulsa, Okla.
The group of anglers included several veterans, such as four-time Classic champion Kevin VanDam, and several Classic rookies like Tom Martens and Charles Sim.
The group of anglers included several veterans, such as four-time Classic champion Kevin VanDam, and several Classic rookies like Tom Martens and Charles Sim.
The anglers arrived with boxes and gifts and SWAG for everybody they would meet.
The anglers arrived with boxes and gifts and SWAG for everybody they would meet.
They got set up in the main lobby of the hospital…
They got set up in the main lobby of the hospital…
…arranged everything onto tables with fishing poles…
…arranged everything onto tables with fishing poles…
…teddy bears…
…teddy bears…
…and copies of <em>Bassmaster</em> Magazine to sign.
…and copies of Bassmaster Magazine to sign.
We’ll have to keep an eye on James Watson, he said this particular fishing pole would be good to use for skipping docks.
We’ll have to keep an eye on James Watson, he said this particular fishing pole would be good to use for skipping docks.
Brandon Card was in charge of teaching how to customize your own swimbait colors.
Brandon Card was in charge of teaching how to customize your own swimbait colors.
The children the anglers visited with begin to make their way into the lobby.
The children the anglers visited with begin to make their way into the lobby.
Chris Lane could see right away he didn’t need to teach his new friend how to stay between the lines.
Chris Lane could see right away he didn’t need to teach his new friend how to stay between the lines.
Brandon McMillan is fishing his first Bassmaster Classic; he was taking pictures of the visit, too.
Brandon McMillan is fishing his first Bassmaster Classic; he was taking pictures of the visit, too.
The GEICO Gecko was first to welcome all the children to the festivities.
The GEICO Gecko was first to welcome all the children to the festivities.
Looks like some of the parents of the children were most definitely bass fishing fans.
Looks like some of the parents of the children were most definitely bass fishing fans.
Everybody made sure to sign the latest issue of <em>Bassmaster</em> Magazine.
Everybody made sure to sign the latest issue of Bassmaster Magazine.
Billy McCaghren probably knows how to use Elmer’s glue, he’s a daddy too.
Billy McCaghren probably knows how to use Elmer’s glue, he’s a daddy too.
The GEICO Gecko was happy to shake everybody’s hand.
The GEICO Gecko was happy to shake everybody’s hand.
Everybody that came by received a new fishing pole…
Everybody that came by received a new fishing pole…
…and so many other things it was good to have a Red Ryder wagon to carry it all in.
…and so many other things it was good to have a Red Ryder wagon to carry it all in.
The only thing better than one teddy bear, is probably two teddy bears.
The only thing better than one teddy bear, is probably two teddy bears.
Alton Jones had no problem handing out as many as these beautiful young people wanted.
Alton Jones had no problem handing out as many as these beautiful young people wanted.
And those same young people had no problem sharing with a friend.
And those same young people had no problem sharing with a friend.
Classic rookies Brandon McMillan and Tom Martens were hoping to make somebody smile. We couldn’t help but notice the smiles that seemed to never leave their faces.
Classic rookies Brandon McMillan and Tom Martens were hoping to make somebody smile. We couldn’t help but notice the smiles that seemed to never leave their faces.
When you get a new fishing pole, what you need next…
When you get a new fishing pole, what you need next…
…is some new baits.
…is some new baits.
A special one made by Brandon Palaniuk.
A special one made by Brandon Palaniuk.
The smiles small and large could be seen all about the room.
The smiles small and large could be seen all about the room.
Several anglers, including Charles Sim…
Several anglers, including Charles Sim…
…and Alton Jones left their tables to spend more one-on-one time with the children.
…and Alton Jones left their tables to spend more one-on-one time with the children.
And then everyone gathered to take an elevator upstairs to meet children that couldn’t leave their rooms for one reason or another.
And then everyone gathered to take an elevator upstairs to meet children that couldn’t leave their rooms for one reason or another.
And in one such room, with one very special young man, they all gathered for one last group photograph.
And in one such room, with one very special young man, they all gathered for one last group photograph.