BENTON, Ky. – Select members of Fujifilm’s pro angler team will visit Benton Elementary School Friday, May 16, to meet with an assembly of fifth-grade students to talk about the family-friendly sport of fishing and the importance of conservation. The team will be in Benton for the $500,000 Wal-Mart FLW Tour event on Kentucky Lake.
A goal of the visiting anglers is to instill in children a sense of environmental appreciation by teaching them about conserving fish habitats and being respectful of nature. The anglers will take this opportunity to educate students about why 55 million people pick up their rods and wet a line each year – because fishing is a fun, wholesome activity the entire family can enjoy. They will explain life as a pro angler and give the children a chance to ask questions. The visit is tailored to introduce the next generation of anglers to the wonderful world of fishing.
Fujifilm’s pro team, which includes some of bass fishing’s greatest anglers, has had a consistent presence in communities that have hosted Wal-Mart FLW Tour events during the last three years. The team – along with J.J. “The Dancing Machine,” a fixture at all Family Fun Zone events who helps children build self-confidence – has made several appearances in local schools and children’s hospitals on the tournament circuit, encouraging children to get involved in the lifelong sport of fishing.
“Fujifilm is proud to sponsor a winning team of anglers,” said Cindy Bogan, national account manager, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. Inc. “With their influence and guidance, we feel strongly that our team will educate kids about the fun of fishing and the importance of conservation, while inspiring the next generation of anglers and photographers.”
Fujifilm will offer another opportunity for children of all ages to learn more about fishing during the Wal-Mart FLW Tour’s Family Fun Zone, which is free and open to the public. While anglers compete on the water, the Family Fun Zone features interactive games and product displays to entertain fishing fans. Fujifilm will set up a fishing pond for children to catch trout, have their photos taken with their catches and then release the trout back into the pond. The Fun Zone is open from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, May 16, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 17. It will be set up at the Wal-Mart store located at 310 W. Fifth St. in Benton.
Outside the tournament circuit, Fujifilm also takes an active role in motivating children to fish, photograph and release. Two years ago Fujifilm launched the Fish, Photograph and Release (FPR) program that is available to children across the country. Under the program, children can fill out entry forms, submit photos of themselves with their catches before releasing them back into the water and write short essays about the experiences. Fujifilm also takes part in the Take a Kid Fishing program hosted by Wal-Mart stores nationwide during National Fishing and Boating Week. This year’s event will take place June 7.
The 2003 Fujifilm pro angler team comprises Randy Blaukat of Lamar, Mo.; Robert Bogan of Farmington, Ark.; Scott Bonnema of Forest Lake, Minn.; Brent Brady of Hixson, Tenn.; Joel Richardson of Kernersville, N.C.; Sean Stickler of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Shawn Strader of Rockwood, Tenn.; Wesley Strader of Spring City, Tenn.; Sam Swett of Covington, La.; and Wes Thomas of Hanover, Ind.
Established in 1965, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. Inc. is the U.S. marketing subsidiary of Tokyo-based Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., a leading manufacturer of imaging and information products. Fujifilm’s U.S. headquarters are located in Elmsford, N.Y.
For more information about Fujifilm products, call (800) 800-FUJI or visit the Fujifilm U.S.A. Inc. Web site at Fujifilm.com.
Editors Note: Benton Elementary School is located at 208 W. 11th St. If you would like a representative to attend the Fujifilm pro angler appearance, please contact Bridget Berglund at (612) 337-1927 for arrangements. Photos of Team Fujifilm are available at FLWOutdoors.com.