New Fishing Tournament to Fund Scholarships for High School Seniors and TDC Ellis Inmates

Lake Livingston Friends of Reservoirs (LLFoR) and Lee College Huntsville will hold the first Texas Castaways Fishing Tournament on Saturday, September 15, 2018 at Pontoons Restaurant and Bar in Onalaska. Proceeds will fund scholarships for selected high school seniors participating in LLFoR and to inmates participating in the Lee College Horticultural Program at the TDC Ellis Unit.

This is the first major fundraiser for LLFoR and Lee College as partners in building aquatic habitat for Lake Livingston. Teams sponsored by businesses, organizations or individuals are $300 for two team members, will receive online and event promotion for the sponsor and long-sleeve fishing shirts for the team members with sponsor and event logo. Individual entries are $75, and each will receive event t-shirts. Registration will be open on Saturday, September 8 from 10 am to noon at Pontoons. Event day registration will begin at 5 am and all entries must be in line for weigh-in by 2 pm. All teams must register, pay and receive a number prior to launch on September 15.

Cash prizes for the Biggest Catch (5 fish/most pounds) will be First - $200, Second - $150, and Third - $100, plus hand-made rod holders. Prizes for biggest catch will be First –deer stands, Second –gun display cabinets, and Third –hand-carved coolers. Two members of each winning team will receive prizes. The hand-crafted prizes are all original woodworking items created by the Lee College Wood Shop at TDC Ellis. Two convertible bench/picnic tables, and two rocking chairs will be raffled at the event.

The McDonough-Parten Scholarship, named for LLFoR founder Tom McDonough and Texas Black Bass Unlimited Sponsor the late Ed Parten, will be awarded to select seniors who have actively participated in the LLFoR program. Selection will also consider their planned field of study.

Lee College scholarships will go to inmates either already in or planning to begin the TDC Ellis Horticultural Program. TDC Ellis, under Lee College guidance, produces 75 percent of LLFoR’s plants and has been responsible for improving growing and planting methods. Several of the program graduates have established successful businesses after release.

Number of scholarships will depend on the event proceeds.

T

exas Castaways Tournament will be held at Pontoons Restaurant, Bar, and Marina at 373 Navaho Trail in Onalaska, Texas. Meals and beverages will be available for purchase. Their boat ramp has ample trailer parking.

To register for the Texas Castaways Fishing Tournament, visit www.llfor.org/tournament or call Beth Miller at 832-282-2423. For more information on LLFoR, to donate, or to volunteer, visit www.llfor.org or follow Facebook.com/llfororg.