Sam Odrowski
Are you a good catch? Well, the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship currently is fishing for volunteers both young and old.
Individuals age 13 and older can volunteer and help contribute to another successful year for the district’s biggest fishing tournament.
The FFCBC requires 200 volunteers to make sure things run smoothly year in and year out.
There are perks to volunteering for the event, noted organizing committee member Jeannette Cawston.
She said food, drinks, and official FFCBC T-shirts are given to volunteers while it makes for a fun opportunity for high school students in need of volunteer hours to graduate.
As well, Sight and Sound, Flint House, and Boston Pizza will be providing prizes for the event’s volunteer draws.
The draws are specifically for volunteers and is a fun way for the bass championship to give back to those who have donated their time to making it possible.
“We try to look after them as much as we can,” Cawston said.
Registration for volunteers is available online anytime through the FFCBC’s website at www.canadianbass.com
Alternatively, people can call or text Cawston at 275-9229 to express their interest in helping out.
She reiterated the volunteers are what makes this event possible.
“Without the help of all the volunteers who graciously donate their time, the tournament wouldn’t be possible,” Cawston stressed.
She noted volunteering can be a great time because of the nature of the FFCBC.
“You get to participate in a fun event that is going on,” Cawston enthused.
“And you get to have lots of fun [volunteering] with people in your community.”
Volunteers will be matched with the type of work that needs to be done and co-ordinate their schedules with event organizers.
The main job that needs at least 10 able-bodied volunteers is the site set-up and teardown.
“That is the biggest thing that we’re concentrating on right now,” Cawston said.
“We like to have different people to do that because the other people can get worn out.”
The FFCBC also needs people to supervise the Funtastic inflatable section, help with daily clean-up, operate door sales, drive anglers in golf carts to their trucks or trailers, supervise the petting zoo, sell drink tickets, care for fish the anglers have caught, and oversee angler slips.
The volunteer work typically is broken up into two- to three-hour shifts unless people wish to work longer.
A special volunteer registration also will be held on Thursday, July 12 from 4-7 p.m. at NCDS (304 Scott St.) and all are welcome to attend.
Cawston encourages people to visit the FFCBC website and reach out if they think they can help in any way, big or small.
