We had our second volunteers meeting this week with Shane and Terry getting ready for the Oct. 3 Fishing Festival on Jordan for Wounded Warriors and veterans. The goal right now is about 35 bass and 15 crappie boats. We will launch from Farrington and the dinner afterwards is at Bells Baptist Church, just a ways down the road from the ramp.

Boaters are still needed and definitely crappie fishermen are needed. Shane has posted on this website a good bit of information, but now we need to call some of the crappie folks we know and see if we can line up 15 boats. Each person needs to be able to take one vet and a care taker out if needed. Also, those with bass type boats need to let Shane know as well. Some of the folks are unsteady on their feet and need a boat with sides on it.

There is also a need for a couple of media boats. We are hoping to have a full-time photographer in one boat and a second boat is needed to take local TV stations and media out when they come. If you are not confident about taking a person fishing, maybe you can be one of the media boats.

The good folks at Bells Baptist are cooking barbeque for the meal. It would be nice if someone could bring a smoker and cook some chicken quarters or halves as well. We do not have anyone at this time and why I am asking you guys for help finding a person that cooks chicken. We can go buy fried chicken, but I can't help but think there is someone out there that would be willing to help such a cause. There are a number of ladies in the area that are preparing desserts, so I think we are okay in that area. We are planning on serving 140 right now that includes fishermen, boaters and volunteers.

Volunteers are needed and do any of you know some youth groups in Chatham that could help? ROTC at area high schools, church youth groups, bass clubs, etc. are all potential helpers and if you have some ideas, please let us know.

Do any of you have nice fishing rods that you would like to donate? We want to provide every vet with a new or almost new rod and reel when they leave. We could always use cash contributions and that can be made online at the Operation North State website or send them a check.

At one of the fishing festivals, an unknown person walked up and handed over a bag with fifty $50 Bass Pro Shops gift cards in it, then quickly walked back out the door. Maybe you know some one that would do the same thing at out festival. We all owe our Vet's a debt of gratitude and we want to make this a very special day for fifty of them. There is already a waiting list with some folks definitely wanting to fish Jordan.

Thanks for any help that you can give. The event is less that two months away, so we are working hard to make sure we are well-prepared for that day.