CENTER OF ATTENTION—Bryce McKinney, center, takes in the atmosphere at the Fishermen For Bryce tournament held last weekend out of Venice Marina. The effort produced some $68,700 for the McxKinney's. With Bryce, from left, are his aunt, Diana Rogers, his dad, Jeff McKinney, and his mom, Robin McKinney. Photo submitted

Wow! What an experience!

I am talking about the “Fishermen for Bryce” fund raiser that concluded with a fishing tournament last weekend down in Venice.

I have never been involved in a more successful fundraiser than this one.

Dennis Bardwell, local contractor and long time fisherman of the Venice area, had the idea and was the chairman for the event, designed to help Bryce McKinney and his parents. Bryce is paralyzed from a spinal injury he sustained during a jayvee football game at Ponchatoula, and thanks to the efforts of hundreds of people, a grand total of $68,700 was raised to help offset his medical expenses.

Dennis recruited Shannon Joiner as co-chairman. Dennis and Shannon approached Ponchatoula head football coach Mike Baiamonte about the fundraiser with the thought that they could raise $20,000 or so for the McKinneys. Dennis, Shannon, and Coach Baiamonte took the idea to the Ponchatoula Booster Club, and Dennis also recruited guides to provide the trip.

Ticket sales soared, and the drawing of the winners took place on March 1. The fishing tournament took place on April 5. I asked Dennis to give me a breakdown of what made this fundraiser so successful. Here's what he told me:

First were the efforts of all the charter captains from Venice who helped make this work. They were: Jeff Fucia (Delta Dawn Guide Service), Brandon Carter (Reel Shot Guide Service), Dan Dicks (MLC Charters), Allen Welsh (Hooked Up Charters), Jimmy Gringo (Gringo Charters), Cade Thomas (Runaway Charters), Randy Jenkins (Yank-Um-In-Charters), Owen Langridge (Big “O” Charters), Lloyd Landry (Triple “L” Charters), Shane Mayfield (Adventure South Charters), Donald Gros (Dots & Spots, LLC), Chris Wilson (Rivers End Outfitters), Donnie Ray Thomas (Cripple Creek Charters), Frank Dreher (Laid Back Charters, Grand Isle), Dennis Bardwell (DB Charters).

Other folks who fish in Venice and put their boats up to help the cause are: Pete Benge, Skeet Williams, David Dragg, Reg Jones, Charlie Cashio, Ross Savoie, Tom Silk, Scott White, Butch Wall, James McLaughlin, John Paul & Jeff Arnoult, Brian McAdams, Brian Neal, Troy Carter, Raymond Galatas, Joe Lavigne, and Jimmy Theriot.

All of these guys put their boats up and never charged a nickel so that all of the funds could go to the McKinney family. Thanks so much for the help guys. You are the ones that made it work.

Also, I want to thank my main man, Shannon Joiner. He helped me so much with all of the cooking crew, ticket sales, door prizes, and everything else that was needed to make something like this turn out great. With him were all of my buddies from PVFD: Chris Winburn, Rocky Cannon, Weaver Wolfe, Stormy Joiner, Ruben Auter, Brennan Cortez, Dillon Joiner, Darron Bennett, Rodney Drude, Billy Dufreshe, Tim Gideon, and Kirby Varnado.

And we can't forget Mike Bratton, Coach Baiamonte, and Coach Burmaster.

Donations were made by the following: Ed Hoover (Encore Investments), David Cression (CCA, Louisiana Director), Ken Mathern (Global Wildlife), Jonathon Bachrack (Wolfe Lumber), Henry Powell (Empire Management), Scott Sandage (Sandage Homes), Tom Enmon (Jani King), Coach Van Chanslor (LSU Lady Tigers), Coach Buddy Borlker (PHS High School), Ross Savoie (Savoie & Savoie, LTD), April Bardwell (Steppin Out Dance), and any others that I may have overlooked. Thank you for the donations.

We also had door prizes donated from all the following: Thompson Tackle, Archery and Fishing Unlimited, Cashio Chevron, Cabela's, Wolfe Lumber, Wal-Mart, Patenotte Pool & Spa, Academy Sports, Gus' Bait & Net, First Guaranty Bank, Parish National Bank, Stan Johnson Insurance, Billy Dufreche, Durham Autoplex, Car Wash Depot, Rodnreel.com, and one of our main sponsors was Mr. Ed Williams of the Bass Pro Shop of Denham Springs. If I have left anyone out, I apologize. Thanks goes out to all of you good folks!

I would also like to thank Ms. Lisa at L&D Creations for donating the plaques that we gave to our winners, and to Sanderson Farms for the chicken that we cooked. It was enjoyed by all.

Last, but not least, I would like to say thanks to Butch Meyns and Ron Geauthreaux with FPTV for all they have done so that we could show some of what went on.

Of course, the real winners out of all that was done here were Bryce and his mom, Robin, and dad, Jeff McKinney. They also want to say thanks everyone involved for doing what they did.

TOURNAMENT RESULTS

REDFISH

1st-Miker Berner (8.4); 2nd-Ed Branton 8.2; 3rd-Rocky Wills (7.4)

SPECKLED TROUT

1st-Shelly Shoemaker (2.5); 2nd-Chris Peltier (2.4); 3rd-Cody Shoemaker (1.9)

FLOUNDER

1st-Tina Russel (1.2); 2nd-Byran “Stump” Willie (1.1); 3rd-Mike Berner (0.8)

CAPTAINS

1st-Jimmy Gringo, Gringo Charters (23.5); 2nd-Dennis Bardwell, DB Charters (21.4); 3rd-Lloyd Landry, Triple “L” Charters (19.3)