RICHMOND, Va. – Select members of Fujifilm’s pro angler team will visit Binford Middle School Friday to meet with an assembly of sixth-grade students to talk about the family-friendly sport of fishing and the importance of conservation. The team will be in Richmond this week for the Wal-Mart FLW Tour Championship presented by Castrol on the James River.
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. “Through their influence and guidance, we feel strongly that our team members 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 World Championship and Outdoor Show. 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 outdoor show, taking place at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, runs from 1-9 p.m. daily Sept. 10-13 and admission is free. The outdoor show will include 150,000 square feet of exhibits featuring great buys on everything from crankbaits to bass boats.
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 Take a Kid Fishing Day hosted by Wal-Mart stores during National Fishing and Boating Week.
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. For more information about FLW Outdoors, call (270) 252-1000.
Editors Note: Binford Middle School is located at 1701 Floyd Ave. 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 on this Web site.