By the time you are reading this, it’s probably too late to participate in the main event, since it is a fishing tournament where the registration cut-off will be today at 5:45 a.m. Why are we talking about a fishing tournament? Well, it’s due to the cause they are standing behind. The Three Rivers Bass Tournament Series fishing club will be donating half of its proceeds from the tournament to Area 29 Special Olympics, along with an additional $100 out of the checkbook. In doing that, the club is also inviting Area 29 board members and athletes, who will be on hand to take additional donations. Additional donations will be encouraged by the organization.

Hopefully, if you were truly interested in participating in the actual tournament, you caught it in yesterday’s The Tidewater News on page A1.

You can still help out, though, by showing up at 3 p.m. at the General Vaughan Bridge boat landing on Route 258 South. At the scheduled weigh-in, several Area 29 athletes will be making an appearance to help out.

At the very least, we encourage you to go meet these incredible individuals who train really hard to be able to do the things they do. Be it swimming, bowling or playing volleyball. And if you have the means, we also hope that you’ll be able to contribute a little extra to the organization.

Fundraisers and donations are how Area 29 Special Olympics is able to operate, as they don’t charge the participants. Donated funds enable them to take on new athletes, buy materials, as well as pay for the travel expenses of the athletes who are already participating.

And this program is very important to them, as not only does it allow a place for them to participate in athletics, it also offers a place to connect with people who can go on to become their friends. Additionally, for many participants, it also provides a sense of belonging that they might not otherwise get.