Yeah, ....What It's All About-

Charity.

Though much is said about the amount participant's win, charity is why this 15-member volunteer board of directors work so hard each year to make Big Rock a success.

Yesterday the board donated $91,413 to fourteen different organizations who they have defined as the "core" group of charities. This annual event, held at the Dunes Club in Atlantic Beach, is what the entire board looks forward to each year. The icing on the cake of what was a great tournament year.

Pictured here with Casey is Chuck Bryant, Director of Newport Developmental Center and his predecessor Doris Oglesby, who recently retired from the school for adult handicap students. Even though Doris is living the high life of retirement, she asked if she could attend the charity luncheon just because it has meant so much to her in the past. The Newport Developmental Center is THE core charity of the tournament since it was the first to receive the benefits of a profitable event. Doris, Chuck and all the other recipients were so very thankful for the donations Big Rock makes each year. In turn, the board thanked each of them for working with organizations that define what a real community stands for.

President Tom Bennett opened the ceremony and welcomed everyone, Gene McClendon of Hope Mission offered the prayer, and the recipients were treated to a nice lunch prior to the presentation. Casey Wagner, charity committee chairman, presented each charity their donation for 2009 saving the final RAAB Clinic check for last.

Casey, still heartbroken over the loss of his wife Keli to breast cancer last year, was filled with emotion as he explained the renaming of the ladies tournament for Keli and why the donations to the clinic were so important. Sonda Warrington, director of RAAB, offered her thanks and defined the use of funds for patient comfort and care. The Keli Wagner Lady Angler Tournament raised $23,000 during this year's one-day tournament, $7000 of which came from non-fishing teams!!

It was a great way to start the holiday weekend knowing that Big Rock has now breached the 2 million dollar mark in its support of these many worthy causes.