AMO — The clients of Sycamore Services celebrated 20 years of fishing with the Central Indiana Bassmasters of Plainfield over the weekend. The club began setting aside time for a special fishing trip each year for the past two decades.
Tom Burks has been helping with the annual trip since it started.
“To be a good club you have to have some sort of benevolence,” Burks said. “And we have so much fun doing this.”
Each year, the Bassmasters invite people from Sycamore Services out for fishing and a cookout luncheon.
The mission of Sycamore Services is to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities and others who experience daily challenges by providing individualized training and services to increase independence and enhance their quality of life.
The fishing is held on property belonging to the Conservation Bird Dog Club. Burks is a member of the Bassmasters as well as the Bird Dog Club.
“I think the first year we did this we had five or six folks come out from Sycamore Services,” he said. “I think we had 47 yesterday and 68 today. With all the helpers, I believe we had more than 100 people here today.”
Jett Wells is director of work service for Sycamore Services. He said the clients look forward to this outing each year.
“About a month before we come, we put out pictures from the year before to get them all excited,” Wells said. “I’ve been coming for 10 years and it’s always been wonderful. They spare no expense and treat them to a fun day.”
Fishing equipment has even been purchased so the clients have plenty of gear to use.
“And every time someone catches a fish, they make a huge deal and take their picture,” Wells said. “They have so much fun.”
John Garver is a member of the Bassmasters and has been a part of the outing for many years. He said he comes back each year to see his friends and make new memories.
“These guys have become our buddies,” Garver said. “It’s just a good time.”
This year, Garver partnered up with Richard Brown who was at the event with his father, Will, and brothers Robert and Coyle.
“He’s trying to catch more fish this year than he did last year,” Garver said. “He’s got names for all of them and has been singing to them. I think that’s his trick.”
Wells said the weather for this year’s event was perfect.
“We’ve had years where it was so hot you can’t stand it and years when it was rainy,” he said. “But the clients always love to come.”
brenda.holmes@flyergroup.com
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