The Fishing Academy Hosts Successful Annual Gala

By The Fishing Academy

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John Hoffman of the Fishing Academy takes the stage during the event.

People who fish are some of the most generous people you’ll meet in your lifetime. Whether they are taking time to teach others or pass on fishing secrets learned long ago, fellow anglers always enjoy helping out. All of this was on display at this year’s Fishing Academy Annual Charity Gala.

A crowd of over 200 came out and raised over $12,000, which will be used to help over 500 Youth stay off the streets and get out fishing this summer. The event featured awards, raffles, auctions, great food and dancing with music by the ten piece Soul City Band. Captain Ralph Wilkins and Coastal Angler Magazine received The Fishing Academy Appreciation Award for raising money throughout the winter and being advocates for the program.

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This year’s Tom McCarthy Memorial Award winner was Michael Gallagher pictured with the McCarthy family.
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Captain Ralph Wilkins was honored with The Fishing Academy’s Appreciation Award.

There were also two youth awards named after longtime anglers and supporters. The Thomas McCarthy Memorial Award was given to Michael Gallagher of Brighton for his dedication to helping younger kids in the program. Allston’s Giovanni Buonafine was awarded the Anthony Sacchetti Memorial Award for his leadership skills. The Sponsors of the Year were Demetrios Salpoglou of Next-Gen Realty and John Kenney of Harwicheast Liquors. Both of these sponsors have gone above and beyond to help kids learn teamwork and life-skills.

The crowd got to leave with some great prizes such as a Boston Harbor Trip with Captain Chuck DiStefano on Skip-A-Dory Charters, fishing trip on Stellwagon Bank with MassBay Guides, Guided Kayak Fishing Trip with Why Knot Fishing, fishing trip in Falmouth with Captain Jim Silvestro aboard the Pesce, an Ocean Caper Kayak from West Marine of Woburn, a 90 minute private charter for 20 people with Captain Charlie Gibbons aboard the Belle, fishing trip with Captain Jason Colby of Little Sister Charters and a family fishing trip with Captain John Potter aboard the Skipper in Oak Bluffs.

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The Anthony Sacchetti Memorial Award winner, Giovanni Buonafine, pictured with the Sacchetti family.

Many donors stepped forward during the live auction to sponsor a kid to fishing camp. Danny Duffy, Deirdre MacDougall, Christy Mancini, Tina Baia, Jen Mancini, Mike Gallagher, Paul Rufo, Robin Hoffman, Stefanie Barnard, Kevin Honan, Mark Ciommo, the McCarthy family, the Sacchetti Family and Mark Buccelli.

A special thanks goes out to The Fishing Academy Gala Committee, chaired by Sherie Lombardi and all the donors and sponsors who stepped up to keep kids safe and occupied this summer. Al Smith a Youth Worker at Vine Street Community Center in Roxbury summed the night up best. “It was a great time for an even better cause. Many kids in the community will have a chance to fish and get to relax out on a boat this summer instead of hanging on street corners.”