70th Annual Special Needs Fishing Derby

Yahoo

09-05-2025

JIM THORPE, CARBON COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Casting out a line to reel in community support, all part of a decades-old annual fishing event in Carbon County.
28/22 News has more about how the event involves hundreds of students with disabilities.
Stepping off the bus, ready to go, 'Fishing!' exclaims Joshua Jones, Lehighton Area High School.
'Pull it back and wham! It goes into the water, and the fish come in and then bam! You are there with a fish!' said Ryan Kelly, a student at Jim Thorpe Area High School.
More than 200 students with mental and physical disabilities from Carbon County are casting lines, all part of the Germantown Grove Club's 70th Annual Special Needs Fishing Derby in Jim Thorpe.
'I think right now we live in a world where we're connected to our phones or our devices. This gives the students the opportunity to come out, be with nature. They may not want to fish, but just sit here and watch their friends, cheer their friends on,' explained Kim Sargent, coordinator at the Germantown Grove Club.
The annual two-day event shares the legacy of Phil Rodgers, who started it back in the 1950s.
His daughter Mary says he always wanted to help out, especially sharing the hobby of fishing with those who couldn't do it on their own.
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'It was his idea, it is just fantastic to see it continuing and to see all the young kids that come in and the smiles on the faces! We can't say it enough times,' said Mary Rodgers-Marzen, daughter of the founder of the special needs fishing derby.
In partnership with the local American Legion, volunteers by the dozens help out with the event, of all generations.
'I've been taking part in this for 35 years so this is my lifetime,' said Butch Mertz, member of the Germantown Grove Club.
'It's really exciting to see them learning and have the same experience that we do,' said Jagger McElmoyle, a volunteer at the special needs fishing derby.
Weeks of prep work goes into it, including stocking the creek.
'All kinds of fish we have palominos, browns, tigers, brookies. It's a wonderful thing here,' explained Mertz.
Hooked on the fun, everybody has their favorite part.
'Just helping a kid catch their first fish,' said Carter Rice, a volunteer.
'It's fun teaching them. They understand it quickly, I think,' said Andrew Sargent, a volunteer.
Hard work, all for the smiles.
'It's good to get outside today!' said Jones.
The fishing derby will run through today and tomorrow, rain or shine.
If you'd like to donate to the event, visit the Germantown Grove Club's 70th Annual Special Needs Fishing Derby.
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