Contacting the Brainerd chapter well in advance to book a desired trip date allows both
In the end, it’s a simple case of committing
LGF and participants to coordinate transportation,
to a worthwhile concept, raising the funds to
timing, destination and details to make things run
make it happen, taking the time and expending
smoothly. As you might imagine, the demand whips
the energy to make a difference in someone’s life.
the scheduling process into a whirlwind of frenzied
That’s what LGF does. They simply do it on the
activity, especially if poor weather forces a trip to
water, rod in hand.
be rescheduled. But that’s fishing for you; you can’t
The Brainerd Lakes Area Chapter of Let’s Go
predict the weather, but you can expect to have a
Fishing begins its inaugural season blessed with
good time once the boat leaves the dock.
a core group of unselfish individuals dedicated
On the water, trained volunteers do everything
to turning the dream into a reality, and a plan in
possible to make trips not only pleasant and
motion to achieve the goal. They have a 28-foot
enjoyable, but also to put participants on actively
deluxe Crestliner fishing pontoon custom-rigged
biting fish. If you prefer a simple boat ride, well,
and ready to hit the water this spring, sporting an
that’s possible as well. But most folks who come
impressive set of local sponsor logos prominently
aboard want to feel a throbbing fish on the other
displayed around its luxurious perimeter. The first
end of the line, which sparks imaginations and
wave of trained volunteer captains and support
triggers memories of glory days long ago. One senior
personnel are ready and waiting to take seniors
participant, who rarely if ever spoke prior to his
fishing on our area waters come spring, supplying
fishing trip, suddenly became a chatterbox, telling
all fishing tackle, life vests, bait and refreshments.
and retelling the tale of his fishing experience to
Fortunately, Let’s Go Fishing has a remarkable
everyone willing to listen.
6
plan on going along with them.”
track record in this regard. Once people learn
“I became a local Let’s Go Fishing volunteer
about it, volunteers seem to flock to their local
when I worked at a senior facility in the Duluth area,”
chapters like ducks to water. As they do, a
says Jennifer Bergstrom, the new administrator at
number of individuals and local businesses toss a
Good Samaritan Society’s Woodland Campus on the
few additional dollars into the pot, and the beat
south side of Brainerd. “I experienced first-hand the
goes on.
difference the program made in people’s lives. As a
“Initial fundraising has been very promising,”
person who loves to fish, one of my first priorities
says Jim Erickson, who wears dual hats as a
upon moving to Brainerd was to see if I could help
fundraising coordinator, and as the Safety and
start a local LGF chapter in the Brainerd Lakes Area
Training Coordinator for Brainerd Lakes Area
as well. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it
LGF. Together, Jim and LGF marketing director
was already in the works, and that our area would
Bernie Barringer have tirelessly made the rounds
be seeing seniors on the water this coming season. I
acquainting service clubs and potential sponsors
L e t ’ s
G o
F i s h i n g
I n
B r a i n e r d !