KYKX, Hayes RV Center, Whataburger, Patterson Marshall, and several other sponsors host the Big Bass Bonanza annually. It's kind of a big deal and is a three day event. This was my first year, so I didn't realize how much of a production it was. You'll see tents, food trucks, and even riding lawn mowers displayed when you attend. As those of you who've kept up with my blog for any amount of time know, I'm a huge proponent for supporting the community. The Big Bass Bonanza benefits my favorite local charity, The Martin House. That's why I attended.
There was so much going on in the few hours I was at the Bonanza this morning. Volunteers were filling out forms, giving out sponsor shirts, shuttling participants to the weigh station, and then some. I walked all over to get a variety of images of both the attendees and the volunteers. There's been a lot of rain in East Texas lately, so the Lake O' the Pines was swollen. That didn't seem to hold anyone back from coming out to show their support. Boats would pull up to the bank where two young volunteers would get the name of the person who was going to have their bass weighed. Another volunteer would radio the weigh station to prepare their paperwork. Once the bagged fish was ready for transport another volunteer would shuttle them to the station where they would continue the process of having it put on the scale.
Since I'd never been before I was interested in seeing the process. You know that "the press" gets badges to be in on the action at events? Well, I took it upon myself to ask if I could get in on the action so to speak. I stood over beside the weighing area and photographed the bass being put into a basket and then transported to a tank so they could recoup and be released back into the lake. It was interesting. Before I left, the largest bass caught was 7.90! I don't know much about fish, but according to the leader board, that was a good size compared to the average, which looked to be around 5.5. All in all, I enjoyed being able to photograph this event. The only thing I wish I could have done more was to ride a boat and photograph a catch being reeled in. Maybe next year I'll get that chance.
Now I'll thank the sponsors and those who attended. When you support anything that's benefitting a charity, I like you already. You're opening your hearts to filling a need. Children's Advocacy Centers are a blessing to families all over the United States and I'm all for them. Did you know that The Martin House serves more than just Gregg County? They've recently expanded to Harrison County as well. This allows even more children and families to have access to counseling and services that are necessary for helping children under 18 years of age who are suspected victims of sexual or physical abuse or witnesses to violent crimes.
It's heart breaking to know that so many childhood victims of abuse never get the help they need. Often times they're afraid to speak up. There are several reasons for this. One is that they don't think they'll be believed. Abusers of children are usually someone they know, a friend or family member who is close. Not only that, but it's often times someone that have made themselves known to be a nice person; helpful and kind. This makes it hard to believe that they would ever hurt a child. Another reason could be because the abuser has told the child that they will hurt them or someone they love if they ever tell their secret. The younger a child is the more confusing this is. When an older child is abused there are usually signs of abuse in the form of acting out in emotion. Please, please, please, if you know someone who you suspect is being abused or someone who is an abuser, DON'T be silent. They need help. Reach out to The Martin House or the local authorities and allow the children to heal.
If this post helps just one child I'm grateful.
One last thing, I encourage you to become a volunteer for a nonprofit if you're not already. In Longview, Texas alone, there are over 100 you can be a part of. If you already volunteer, YEAH! I'm so glad to be a part of something bigger than myself. Where do you volunteer?
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