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December 13, 2002
Pete Thomas, L.A. Times
Anglers Get Hooked on Giving
One day next week, needy families and individuals who have come to appreciate the generous assistance of the staff and volunteers at the House of Yahwhew in Lawndale will be getting a hot meal often requested but rarely served.
They'll be eating freshly caught fish, prepared by one of several chefs who donate their time at the facility.
"I think it's wonderful because everybody deserves to have something different once in a while," said administrator Constanza Prada, adding that the facility typically serves 150-200 meals daily, six days a week. "We give them beef and other food and sometimes they ask for fish but we don't have it. They'll be very happy to be getting fish."
Not far away, at the Long Beach Rescue Mission, the catch of the day will also be featured.
"And it will be a nice change of pace for them to have that," said Bill Thomas, president of the organization. "I imagine they'll have it baked or fried. We have a great cook, Fred Sigrist, so I'll leave that up to him."
These are two of three local charities that stand to benefit from the inaugural "Fish for the Homeless Day," which is scheduled Tuesday between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. The other is the Beacon House Assn. of San Pedro.
The event was organized by Philip Friedman of 976tuna.com and involves seven sportfishing landings and perhaps several hundred private anglers using their own vessels.
"Why? Because this is a great time of the year to help the poor and come together as fishermen to do something positive for the community," said Friedman, who also runs a youth fishing program that treats 3,000-5,000 underprivileged children each year to a day on the water.
Anglers have gotten behind the latest effort, Friedman says, in an attempt to show that "they're human beings who do a lot of good in the communities." Such a statement speaks volumes, considering that fishermen, in the last year or so, have been portrayed by some environmental groups as reckless fish killers who do more damage than good.
The environmental groups, in their push for and support of recent and proposed closures designed largely to protect rockfish, have alienated sport fishermen by making them appear as though they care nothing about the resource, when in fact, the fishermen have argued, the opposite is true.
"This is the true spirit of fishermen coming through at the right time," said Bob Fletcher, president of the Sportfishing Assn. of California. "I think it's a beautiful gesture on the part of fishermen and I hope it continues year after year."
The landings offering free trips for the cause: Marina del Rey Sportfishing, Redondo Sportfishing, 22nd St. Landing in San Pedro, Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach, Long Beach Sportfishing, L.A. Harbor Sportfishing and Davey's Locker in Newport Beach.
Private boaters wishing to participate should drop off their catch by 2 p.m. at the designated landings. Target species include sand dabs, bass and halibut. The fish will be cleaned by volunteers at the landings. Details: (310) 328-5850.
*
Fishermen aren't the most notable humanitarians, but some try. Fletcher, as a prominent member of the San Diego Rotary Club, started a cooperative program nine years ago called Fish Across the Border, which once a year delivers food packages to the poorer families in and around Ensenada.
On Jan. 11, he and the Ensenada Rotarians, with help from other Rotary Club members, and with fish donated by anglers aboard multiday boats out of Fisherman's Landing in San Diego, will spend the day delivering baskets containing canned tuna and other staples.
The fishing was good and the fishermen particularly generous this year. Fletcher has gathered a record 218 cases containing 10,500 cans of tuna.
Pete Thomas, L.A. Times
Anglers Get Hooked on Giving
One day next week, needy families and individuals who have come to appreciate the generous assistance of the staff and volunteers at the House of Yahwhew in Lawndale will be getting a hot meal often requested but rarely served.
They'll be eating freshly caught fish, prepared by one of several chefs who donate their time at the facility.
"I think it's wonderful because everybody deserves to have something different once in a while," said administrator Constanza Prada, adding that the facility typically serves 150-200 meals daily, six days a week. "We give them beef and other food and sometimes they ask for fish but we don't have it. They'll be very happy to be getting fish."
Not far away, at the Long Beach Rescue Mission, the catch of the day will also be featured.
"And it will be a nice change of pace for them to have that," said Bill Thomas, president of the organization. "I imagine they'll have it baked or fried. We have a great cook, Fred Sigrist, so I'll leave that up to him."
These are two of three local charities that stand to benefit from the inaugural "Fish for the Homeless Day," which is scheduled Tuesday between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. The other is the Beacon House Assn. of San Pedro.
The event was organized by Philip Friedman of 976tuna.com and involves seven sportfishing landings and perhaps several hundred private anglers using their own vessels.
"Why? Because this is a great time of the year to help the poor and come together as fishermen to do something positive for the community," said Friedman, who also runs a youth fishing program that treats 3,000-5,000 underprivileged children each year to a day on the water.
Anglers have gotten behind the latest effort, Friedman says, in an attempt to show that "they're human beings who do a lot of good in the communities." Such a statement speaks volumes, considering that fishermen, in the last year or so, have been portrayed by some environmental groups as reckless fish killers who do more damage than good.
The environmental groups, in their push for and support of recent and proposed closures designed largely to protect rockfish, have alienated sport fishermen by making them appear as though they care nothing about the resource, when in fact, the fishermen have argued, the opposite is true.
"This is the true spirit of fishermen coming through at the right time," said Bob Fletcher, president of the Sportfishing Assn. of California. "I think it's a beautiful gesture on the part of fishermen and I hope it continues year after year."
The landings offering free trips for the cause: Marina del Rey Sportfishing, Redondo Sportfishing, 22nd St. Landing in San Pedro, Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach, Long Beach Sportfishing, L.A. Harbor Sportfishing and Davey's Locker in Newport Beach.
Private boaters wishing to participate should drop off their catch by 2 p.m. at the designated landings. Target species include sand dabs, bass and halibut. The fish will be cleaned by volunteers at the landings. Details: (310) 328-5850.
*
Fishermen aren't the most notable humanitarians, but some try. Fletcher, as a prominent member of the San Diego Rotary Club, started a cooperative program nine years ago called Fish Across the Border, which once a year delivers food packages to the poorer families in and around Ensenada.
On Jan. 11, he and the Ensenada Rotarians, with help from other Rotary Club members, and with fish donated by anglers aboard multiday boats out of Fisherman's Landing in San Diego, will spend the day delivering baskets containing canned tuna and other staples.
The fishing was good and the fishermen particularly generous this year. Fletcher has gathered a record 218 cases containing 10,500 cans of tuna.
