I hope this finds you doing well. Can’t get over this weather. Making getting out fishing a little hard, then again…really haven’t had much time. We just returned from the Ultimate Fishing Show. Pretty good show and LOTS of people. I think we handed out over 3000 brochures on the tournament. Anyways, I was just going through things that need doing and wanted to reach out. We are still seeking sponsors and prizes as always. I know things are hard this year, but our tournament depends on so much support of this kind for prizes. This year has been a hard one so far and I hoped maybe you might be able to help us out and maybe even have some contacts you could also forward this on to!
On top of that for some extra promo opportunity…I also wanted to see if you might have anything you would be able to pass us to put in our welcome bags for each fisherperson. This would be approx: 450 bags
Coupons, product, etc?? People have come to really appreciate these bags and we would love to do it again this year…..Doug Poirier
About: Perchin for MS began to materialize in January of 2010. The organizer Doug Poirier, an avid outdoorsman, community member and Protector of Ontario’s Natural resources was diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS in late 2009. Upon this diagnosis, Doug’s MS affected his life in many ways. It quickly began to prevent him from doing his job, and began making the simplest of things like walking, running or playing with his kids difficult tasks.
Doug decided he needed to fight back and vowed to keep fighting and not give up!
Not always an easy thing to do…but Doug has tried to have a positive outlook the whole way.
While learning more about MS and dealing with his own increasing disabilities; Doug also began to see how much MS affected ones outlook on life and brought on depression in so many MS Sufferers and people with physical disabilities!
Doug viewed people giving up on the things they loved, due to their disabilities. He had an idea that maybe if people had an easy way to get active and saw others doing these things…that maybe they would give it another try. “I thought if I could get them out to do something they had once done but had given up on, that this might remind them that even with the disability, life can still go on.”…for Doug fishing and hunting being some of these!
Doug also wanted to help support those suffering with MS in his community while also helping to raise awareness and try to find a cure.
Doug decided to run a fishing tournament. The event began the first year as an anticipated small event expecting it to be mainly friends and family.
This event grew fast!
The outline:
Perchin for MS is an Ice Fishing Tournament and Event held each year on the first Saturday in March in the Town of Georgina.
The event is a team event. Teams consist of either two adults, an adult with up to 2 children 14 or under, or a single fisherperson. All teams fish from 8am til 1pm competing for the 10 biggest perch. At 1pm teams must be off the ice and attend the weigh in. During this time a charity BBQ and Auction are also held.
The cost is kept low at just $50 per team to enter, with the registration fee split. Part goes as a donation under the team captains name towards MS and part goes to the Cash Prize Pot. The event also host other fun contests such as biggest fish, Dream Fish, Mystery Weights, etc…to add more fun and prizes to the day.
In March of 2011, the first event took place. The event was a huge success, much bigger then anticipated…with 158 people from all over Ontario and the USA competing for cash and prizes. The event raised $4000.00 for MS research and support towards a cure.
In March of 2012, the 2nd annual event was held and smashed the success of the first year. The 2nd Annual attracted 409 people and raised $10,200 for MS. It was amazing to see such growth in just a year, and due to ice safety…teams had to be turned away.
In March of 2013…Perchin For MS held its 3rd Annual Event. Again, we were able to have a full field of 227 teams (455 people) competing and another huge success was accomplished! The event once again drew anglers from all over Ontario and into the United States all with hopes of catching the big one…while helping to make a difference. This year $17 000 was raised for MS and again was donated to the local York North Chapter. Also again, many teams had to be turned away due to capacity issues.
Most importantly, the main message we want to send is that this is an event that “ANYONE” can be part of.
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