THE ORANGE COUNTY Chapter of the Knights of Columbus recently completed their third Fish for Life! excursion for 2024 on the waters off of Dana Point.
THE CREW OF THE FISHING VESSEL DANA PRIDE MAKE PREPARATIONS BEFORE DEPARTING WITH FISH FOR LIFE! ANGLERS AND THEIR SPONSORS AND FISHING LEADERS DURING THE EXCURSION SPONSORED BY THE ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. PHOTOS BY RON KUZLIK/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Fish for Life! is a California-based non-profit that was started over a lunchtime discussion in 2009 by founder and chief executive officer, Jim Holden, and his friend Jeffrey Kutcher, who has cerebral palsy.
The mission of Fish for Life! is to enhance the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities by providing fun fishing trips for them to enjoy.
FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD SHEILA PROUDLY DISPLAYS HER CATCH OF THE DAY WITH DANA PRIDE CREW MEMBER SPENCER WILLIAMS DURING THE FISH FOR LIFE! EXCURSION SPONSORED BY THE ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS.
“It is designed to provide love and inspiration while teaching fishing skills and creating memorable experiences,” Holden said.
According to Orange County Chapter Knights of Columbus Vice President Louis Gardner, the chapter has sponsored dozens of these trips over the past 10 years.
“This year, the chapter teamed up with local Knights of Columbus councils in fundraising efforts to raise $25,000 to underwrite the cost of the three 2024 fishing trips,” Gardner said.
On this particular trip held on Oct. 19, 35 honored guests were accompanied by their friends and sponsors. About 90 anglers took to the waters of the Pacific Ocean in search of a variety of fish, including rockfish, calico bass, white fish, halibut, sculpin and even barracuda.
Fish for Life! board member and owner of Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching, Donna Kalez, provided the 95-foot fishing vessel Dana Pride.
“Jim Holden came to me 15 years ago with the idea of a fishing trip for kids with special needs,” she said. “What you see is what we’ve been doing for all these years. Every child on the boat has a designated fishing leader and it just keeps getting better and better.”
Kalez was quick to thank the Knights for their continued partnership.
“The Knights of Columbus have been amazing supporters and partners,” she shared. “They help every year to raise funds for these trips, and we couldn’t do it without their efforts and support.”
As guests boarded the Dana Pride, they were all individually introduced and received high fives as they walked a special red carpet. During the cruise, there was more than just fishing to keep guests entertained. There was a “Bucket Band Parade” which involved marching the perimeter of the boat while banging on large empty buckets and rattling handheld tambourines.
A meal was prepared in the galley and guests enjoyed lunch while watching scores of dolphins playfully swimming nearby.
There was even a special appearance by a “mermaid,” who later met and socialized with the guests when the vessel returned to the dock.
Melody Kochan of Lake Forest was accompanied by her father Steve.
“Melody gets so excited about these trips,” Steve shared. “She looks forward to engaging with other people and, of course, catching fish.”
Michelle Krugh of San Clemente is the mother of two sons, Jackson, 18, and Blake, 16. They were also accompanied by their grandfather Chuck Pillsbury and were there at the invitation of their classmate Sophia.
“This is so much fun with so many amazing people,” Michelle said. “And it is such a blessing. It builds confidence in doing something they’ve never done before. My boys even caught three fish each.”
Classmate Sophia caught a sculpin, a very unusual looking fish with a flattened head and frog-like mouth and eyes. “This fish is so colorful,” Sophia said. “It was so good and so much fun!”
For more information on Fish for Life! visit https://www.fishforlife.org/
To learn more about the Orange County Chapter of the Knights of Columbus, visit https://ockc.net/