The Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza was a fruitful event for more than just anglers on the ice that weekend.
The Jaycees donated proceeds from the Jan. 22 kickoff party, totaling just short of $14,000, to the Brainerd Warrior Fishing Team. Nicholas Johnson, chairman for the kickoff party, said the money raised was much higher than the expected $1,000-$2,000.
"With all of the support from the community and the people on the committee for this event, it was a smashing success," Johnson said in a news release.
Johnson and other Brainerd Jaycees-including President Natalie Potvin, kickoff party committee member Matt Castle and Angie Nelson, Extravaganza chairwoman-presented a check to the team for $13,988.87 on April 15.
Jason Bahr, head coach of the fishing team, said the amount donated to the team was a "total shock."
ADVERTISEMENT
Bahr said without the support of the Brainerd Jaycees, the cost of joining the team would likely have to be raised. Each student who joins the fishing team pays $50, but this covers only half of the initial costs from association memberships and jerseys. Bahr said this year, the team agreed to waive fees for girls who joined in an effort to encourage more gender diversity.
With 105 team members, the costs add up quickly, Bahr said, in addition to gas stipends offered to boat captains on tournament days.
"We would either A. have to raise our admission fees much higher than they are, or B. we just wouldn't be operating if it wasn't for those guys, so we owe them a lot of thanks," Bahr said. "It was really important to us when we started this that we kept the registration fees down, so we didn't discourage anyone from joining."
CHELSEY PERKINS may be reached at 218-855-5874 or chelsey.perkins@brainerddispatch.com . Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DispatchChelsey .
