Pictured above: Back Row: Chair Shannon Andersen, Matt Landry, Stephen Shields and Shaun Plymale; Middle Row: Co-Chair Sarah Andersen, Derek Powell, Sooky Shields, Dawn Greenlees and RJ Ferraro; Front Row: Jade Smith, Karen Hester and Tanya Windecker
8th Annual Michael Shields Memorial Inshore Open to benefit Project L.I.F.T.
Event Chairs Shannon and Sarah Andersen along with this year's committee members are busy planning the 8th Annual Michael Shields Memorial Inshore Open Fishing Tournament benefiting Project L.I.F.T., which they hope will be their most successful tournament to date.
8th Annual Michael Shields Memorial Inshore Open to benefit Project L.I.F.T.
Event Chairs Shannon and Sarah Andersen along with this year's committee members are busy planning the 8th Annual Michael Shields Memorial Inshore Open Fishing Tournament benefiting Project L.I.F.T., which they hope will be their most successful tournament to date.
The tournament, presented by James Crocker and Waterblasting Technologies, will be held the weekend of September 23-24, 2016 at River Palm Cottages and Fish Camp on the waterfront in Jensen Beach. It's named in honor of longtime Martin County resident Michael Shields, who died at the age of 23 from bone cancer.
The tournament follows a catch-and-release format, with separate categories for snook, tarpon, trout and redfish. This year, organizers will introduce three new divisions, Guided, Unguided and Paddle.
A festive Captain’s Party will kick off the tournament on Friday evening for adults 21+ that includes an open bar provided by Charlie’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill, dinner catered by Paella Grill, live & silent auctions, raffles and entertainment.
An awards BBQ will take place at the tournament's close on Saturday afternoon.
An awards BBQ will take place at the tournament's close on Saturday afternoon.
All events are included in a $100 Angler Registration Fee. An "Angler Only" ticket is available for $65, and a Captain's Party only ticket can be purchased for $75 per person in advance or $100 at the door.
Project L.I.F.T, founded in 2010 by Bob Zaccheo, is dedicated to inspiring lives of at-risk youth and their families through substance abuse treatment and vocational skills training. Over the last five years, 83% of Project L.I.F.T. program participants have achieved sustained sobriety and made healthy life choices.
Zaccheo, a licensed Psychotherapist and Certified Substance Abuse Expert, teaches Project L.I.F.T. participants to successfully manage their substance abuse challenges as well as depression, anxiety, and impulse issues. Further, Project L.I.F.T. offers mentoring and vocational skills training in such areas as auto repair, tiling, plumbing, auto body, boat building, screen printing and general carpentry.
This year’s tournament proceeds will benefit Project L.I.F.T.'s new girls’ program, The Willow Project. The 14-week program, led by Nicole King, founder of The Willow House, is designed for young ladies of middle and high-school ages 12-19 that desire to attain coping skills that address issues related to family relationships, friendships, feelings of rejection/acceptance and dating.
The ladies are taught life skills, such as conflict resolution, drug and alcohol abstinence, sexual restraint, sense of purpose, healthy self-image and responsible living.
The Michael Shields Memorial Tournament is sponsored by James Crocker of Waterblasting Technologies and other major sponsors of the event, including Charlie’s Bar & Grill, Closets by Design, Colin McKinney, DMD, Crowder Rods, Ferraro Law Group, Island Party Rentals, Lewis Law Group, Local Guy AC, Norcross Marine, Ohle & Ohle, Peppermint Wind Photography, The Sade Group, The Shields Family, Treasure Coast Legal, Treasure Coast Urgent Care, US Sugar, Webs by Melissa and Michael Weinberg/Merrill Lynch.
To learn more about Project LIFT please visit projectliftmc.com or find them on Facebook at Facebook.com/ProjectLIFT.