Photo:left to right Luke Delaney, Eli Delaney founder of My Little Buddy’s Boat, Medford (Captain ) and Mayor Stephanie Muccini Burke and Mark Burgess- events co organizer and Mass Bass Nation representative
Photos by Elaine Tassinari, Jimmy Deoliveira and Joe DiGirolamo
By Joe DiGirolamo
Medford Mayor Stephanie Muccini Burke, The Mystic Wellington Yacht Club, the Mass Bass Nation and My Little Buddy’s Boat would like to thank everyone that came out to support the 5th annual Fishin with a Mission Autism Awareness Event that was held this past Sunday at Mystic Wellington Yacht Club Inc. in Medford.
The day began at daybreak with the Annual Fresh Water Bass Fishing Tournament. Anglers from across New England gathered to fish the Mystic and Charles Rivers to help support the event as well as attempt to crown this year’s Bass Master Champion of the Rivers! The crowds were not disappointed at the weigh in as they witnessed Chip Servant and Randy Phillips take this year’s title with a combined fish weight of 15.77lbs. of largemouth bass. Great catches for these waters! Please note: all fish caught at this event were returned safely and unharmed at the conclusion of the event to the respective rivers where they were caught from.
The Salt Striped Bass and Bluefish Tournament unfortunately had to be rescheduled to a future date due to the National Weather Service’s small craft warning and high wind advisory issued prior to the start of the event. Stay tuned though because within the next few weeks reigning champs Mystic Wellington Yacht Club will be squaring off with Winter Hill Yacht Club of Somerville and Riverside Yacht Club for the “Battle on the Mystic” to determine who will be this year’s winners of the Salt Water Stripe Bass and Bluefish Tournament!
However, the real highlight of the day was the Autism Awareness Event itself! Many students from the Boston Higashi School , the New England Center for Children, the Nashoba Learning Group as well as many other children and families challenged with autism had the opportunity to enjoy many fun activities such as fishing, a waterslide, bounces, crafts and games. Members of the Mystic Wellington Yacht Club and Riverside Yacht Club offered boat rides to over 150 children and their families. Unfortunately some of these families have never had the opportunity to experience some of these fun summer activities like this until now!
The day also included a barbecue for everyone and Chef Joe Carli from Posto Restaurant of Davis Sq in Somerville was on hand with the Posto wood-fired pizza food truck offering delicious pizza creations to all!
Due to the great generosity by all the attendees and many donations to this event, thousands of dollars were also raised to help create Autism Awareness and help aid the schools previously mentioned. If anyone would like to donate and help this great cause please check out http://www.mylittlebuddysboat.com to learn more.
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