It appears that Hooked on Fishing International is losing is corporate sponsorships to keep the Kids All-American Fishing fishing derby programs viable. In a recent letter sent to Wende Gray, marketing specialist and owner of Gray Marketing and also spokesperson for the newly formed Upper Andro Anglers Alliance, HOFI informs Gray that the UAAA annual Family Fishing Festival will lose sponsorship from the Kids All-American Fishing. One of its main sponsors is Wal-Mart.
It is with great sorrow and regret that we announce that Hooked On Fishing International (HOFI) is no longer able to support the operations of the Kids All-American Fishing (KAAF) program. For 20 years we have worked with community-based organizations and agencies to introduce and promote the recreation of fishing to young people and their families. Through the support of our corporate partners, we have provided the KAAF fishing derby support kit and other planning and promotional resources to organizations wishing to host an on-water fishing event for their community.
Due to changing corporate priorities and market conditions, our key partners have chosen to devote their resources elsewhere and our efforts to secure new alliances have been unsuccessful.
This of course is disturbing and troubling news as oftentimes kids programs for fishing and hunting are regularly sponsored by corporations and local businesses. We hope that this does not become a nationwide trend as the effect could have sweeping consequences for many programs.
Tom Remington
