Tom Fish and Josh Rhein. PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation cast a wide net during its inaugural Mardy Fishing Tournament, bringing together angling enthusiasts, local businesses and supporters for a day of competition and philanthropy.

The fishing tournament is a new addition to the nonprofit’s fundraising opportunities, all of which support the foundation’s commitment to positively impacting children’s lives through sports and education. The fishing tournament was added to a cadre of events that also includes golf and tennis tournaments.

Founded in 2007 by former professional tennis player Mardy Fish, the foundation currently supports more than 2,400 children in 13 elementary schools, six middle schools, one high school, and at three afterschool centers in Indian River County through programs that focus on afterschool exercise, nutritional and enrichment programs, and which encourage the healthy and productive lifestyles promoted by Mardy’s Six Healthy Habits: Get Sleep; Drink Water; Exercise Daily, Eat Healthy; Make Friends; Brush and Floss.

The funds raised during the tournament will support after-school and summer programs, giving children opportunities to engage in sports and access educational resources. From after-school programs to sports scholarships, their initiatives aim to empower young minds and bodies, setting them on a path toward success.

“We are adding new programs every semester,” said Lynn Southerly, MFCF CEO, noting that program costs have significantly increased since the pandemic. They are now funding as many as 15 programs each semester.

“There are so many additional needs. Mental health is becoming a bigger issue, and the schools have cut the budget for a lot of activities, so we’re getting requests from activities that used to be funded by the school,” Southerly explained. “We are reaching kids deep in the community.”

During the awards ceremony at Riverside Cafe, Josh Rhein took the Grand Slam with a total length of 77 inches, with other anglers taking home cash prizes for redfish, snook and trout catches.

“We hope you had a great time, and we want you to know that your activities on the Indian River today will go a long way in helping thousands of underprivileged, underserved people in this county,” said Peter Kendall, MFCF board member.

Next up is the Windsor Golf Tournament on Jan. 15. For more information, visit MardyFishChildrensFoundation.org.

Photos by Joshua Kodis