William Dunn of Lakeland, Florida, observed his eight-year-old neighbor
barging into and out of his home across the street.
When the youngster did so frequently, Dunn got worried.
"One day I asked him what was going on in his life since I was
curious."
He informed me he didn't have a father, and that made me think there could
be anything I can do for him.
Dunn, 57, helped his father run his lobster business in the Florida Keys
for a while. He claimed that fishing has always taught him patience and
offered him tranquility.
On the river, he added, you can put your concerns aside and simply take in
the scenery.
The mother of the boy who lived next door asked the father of three if he
might take him fishing.
After spending a Saturday day on the water, he demonstrated how to wield a
fishing pole, set up a line, and reel in a catch to the boys' friends and
other schoolchildren.
Since then, 15 years have passed.
Since then, Dunn has taken groups of children fishing on the weekends. Most
of them had never fished before and lacked father figures. For years, they
had been transferred from one foster family to another.
They had experienced a lot, seen a lot, and their lives had been
challenging, Dunn added. Every one of those things vanished as they were
fishing.
Dunn said that the kids will have fun and meet new friends aboard the boat.
When he noticed that, he realized he was onto something.
a little youngster holding two fish with joy.
Dunn used a significant portion of his paycheck from selling tires to pay
for the weekly fishing trips on charter boats. In Lakeland, Florida, a place
with several lakes, he established the organization Take a Kid Fishing Inc.
in 2018.
Over 2,500 kids—the majority of whom don't have fathers—have learned how to
fish and enjoy calm time on the lake because to Dunn and a few volunteers
over the course of the last three and a half years.
On a fishing expedition, William Dunn and two lads use Instagram.
"Big Will" Dunn, who was raised in Miami, always considered himself
fortunate to have a father who brought him fishing.
As the youngest of my father's six children, our connection has always been
wonderful.
I still keep the teachings dad taught me, even though he now resides in
Tennessee. The memories you create while fishing are more important than the
fish you catch.
Every youngster I bring to fishing will receive that lesson, he
added.
A little youngster holding a fish and grinning.
The neighborhood has complimented Dunn for his commitment to coaching these
young fisherman.
Kids can tell he's sincere, according to Tom Pichette, a 59-year-old former
youth pastor who has accompanied him on several fishing outings as a
volunteer.
They board the ship with some difficult tales to tell since they were dealt
some difficult cards. Will accepts them in their current state.
Terry Pryor, 32, a mother of three, lost her father, Richard Pryor, in an
automobile accident in January 2020.
Jayden, who was 10 years old at the time, was her biggest concern. He
immediately felt the need to take on the role of man of the house due to his
strong relationship with his father.
He attempted to be tough for everyone and hid his emotions, according to
Pryor. I was aware of what to do to assist him after reading about Take a
Kid Fishing.
Jayden has improved as a committed fisherman because to Dunn.
He remarked, "Will has taken me fishing and helped me improve. I hope he
realizes how much I value his assistance.
Each participant in the program is given a fishing stick and gear box. The
relationships they forge and the healing that takes place on the water,
however, are the real highlights of the trip.
Nothing compares to feeling the first tug on the line and witnessing a
child's face light up, according to Dunn. On the weekends, I get to see
it.
These youngsters are equally fortunate to have such a decent man as a
guide. Thank you, Will Dunn, for transforming these kids' lives one fishing
trip at a time.
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