Doing volunteer work for the annual Fish For a Cure (F4AC) Tournament has given native Annapolitan Brad Walsh’s boating life new meaning. Here’s what he had to say about it:
What motivated you to volunteer for the event?
I was approached by one of the founding members of F4AC who explained why they initially had started the event. It resonated with me as my mom was a breast cancer survivor in remission. Shortly after getting involved, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer for a second time. She is now utilizing the exact services that the tournament provides for at the Anne Arundel Medical Center.
What does your F4AC volunteer work consist of?
I am the team captain of our fundraising/fishing team, Reel Counsel. Our team’s mission is to find creative ways to fundraise for F4AC and create awareness of the cause. We organize events (parties, sports pools, online fundraising solicitation) for our own team as well as make it a priority to support the many other teams that compete in the Paul C. Dettor Captain’s Challenge. We also compete in the tournament. My company, Eagle Title and Liff, Walsh, & Simmons, has put sponsorship dollars in to support the event.
How is this volunteer work satisfying for you?
The F4AC community is a very special group of people. Everyone has their own story as to why “cure” is so important to them and why they feel so strongly about competing in the fundraising challenge as well as the fishing itself. The founding group is still very active and does a phenomenal job of welcoming younger individuals like me. I also like that we can see the direct benefit of the resources that we raise at work in our local hospital supporting our community.
If someone were interested in doing some volunteer work, what would you recommend to them?
They could start their own team by registering on fishforacure.org or reach out to the board and see if any teams are looking for new members. It is a great way to meet new people while working together for a great cause. The board can also utilize volunteers for the tournament itself in November. Follow F4AC on Facebook for upcoming fundraising events that are open to all members of the public.
Learn more at fishforacure.org.