Let's Go Fishing completes most successful year yet

Ten years ago, the Let’s Go Fishing (LGF) organization was launched with once a week fishing excursions for two or three senior citizens.

Now, in 2011, the organization served more than 18,000 people who fished with the 28 chapters across Minnesota, including the one in Alexandria.

A non-profit organization with volunteer support, Let’s Go Fishing has a mission to enrich the lives of others and strengthen communities through fishing and boating excursions.

The group has made a lasting impact on thousands of senior citizens, many of whom realize their days on the water would more than likely be over without the organization. Moving stories of seniors enjoying the fellowship of others on the water and having a renewed sense of hope because of Let’s Go Fishing are heard across Minnesota every year, according to Joe Holm with Let’s Go Fishing Minnesota.

Let’s Go Fishing’s successes can be attributed to the organization’s large, caring, committed volunteers who work together across the state to serve people, Holm said. About 2,200 statewide volunteers serve in various roles, enabling the local chapters to fish on a regular basis.

Many chapters are on the water five days a week, some offering multiple trips in a day, and some have two pontoon boats.

About 70,000 people have been served through the efforts of this volunteer group the last 10 years, Holm said, adding that thousands of volunteer hours are donated every year.

Senior citizens across Minnesota enjoy Let’s Go Fishing trips annually. Realizing a need to get kids involved in a healthy, lifelong activity like fishing, the organization has now expanded to offer an Intergenerational and Youth Program.

This program has a kids fishing education curriculum along with on-the-water fishing trips.

Some of these trips are “intergenerational” trips in which kids are paired with seniors in a unique mentoring situation in which kids fish, but more importantly, are exposed to life lessons shared by seniors and other adults during the fishing day.

“The statewide network of volunteers, including those here in Alexandria, work very hard in carrying out this important mission,” Holm said. “With the end of the year and the holiday season in hand, Let’s Go Fishing would like to take this chance to thank our volunteers here in Alexandria and those across the state. The organization also is very appreciative of the communities we serve and their support of seniors, kids, and Let’s Go Fishing.

“Working together we truly are accomplishing great things,” Holm added. “Thanks again to our volunteers and their communities for all they do in serving people.”

For more information, contact Alexandria Lakes Area Let’s Go Fishing at (320) 762-3047.

Tags: local news, news, fishing