Even in slower economic times, the 51st Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament counted its recent tournament a success as the board of directors handed out donations to area charities. On Wednesday, July 1, 2009 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament Board of Directors held a luncheon at the Dunes Club in Atlantic Beach and presented $91,413 to 14 worthy organizations. This year’s donations propelled the cumulative contributions over the 2 million dollar mark for a total of $2,026,163.
A portion of the charitable funds were raised by the one-day ladies billfish tournament, the newly named Keli Wagner Lady Angler Tournament. This tournament alone hosted 61 boats and 30 “non-fishing” teams. These ladies teams combined contributed $23,413 to the area’s RAAB Cancer Clinic, in Morehead City.
Newport Developmental Center, a therapeutic day program for children with disabilities, and the Ronald McDonald House, were the beginning core charities for the Big Rock Tournament with contributions totaling just under $20,000. The unprecedented growth of the tournament has allowed the Big Rock Board of Directors to bestow five times that amount for the last 12 years.
“Part of our 5 point mission statement is to raise money for charity”, comments Vice- President, Casey Wagner. “As we look toward the future, the board is focused on making certain these core charities will continue to receive funding from Big Rock”, he continued.
Determining who will receive funding is a difficult task.
The board of directors have settled on the current core group of charities but still review larger impact donation requests such as the 2007 donation of $175,000 to the Town of Morehead City for the American Legion Baseball Stadium. The entire process is driven by the fit between Big Rock’s five-point mission statement and the destination of the year’s charitable funds. This year’s Tournament Charity Committee consists of Casey Wagner-chairman, Richard Crowe, Carol Lohr, Ben Moore, and Curtis Strange.
The growth in sponsorship is credited for Big Rock’s giving success.
“Sponsor support gives us the needed funds for these worthy causes”, explained Tournament Director, Crystal Watters. “Our special thanks to Charity luncheon sponsor, Allegiance Security and our new Presenting Sponsor, Coble Trench Safety. A record number of 40 other sponsors committed to make the 51st Annual Big Rock a huge success.”
Donations for 2009: Broad Street Clinic $2500 Carteret County Chapter of the North Carolina Symphony $2000 East Carolina Boy Scouts $1500 The History Place $1500 Hope Mission $2000 Martha’s Mission $2000 Newport Developmental Center $20,000 North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores $10,000 NC State University $$8,000 Take A Kid Fishing $1,000 Station Club $2500 UNC Family House $12,000 Hearts Cry Children's Ministry $3000
Lady Angler Tournament donations: $23,413 Raab Oncology Clinic
Even in slower economic times, the 51st Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament counted its recent tournament a success as the board of directors handed out donations to area charities. On Wednesday, July 1, 2009 The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament Board of Directors held a luncheon at the Dunes Club in Atlantic Beach and presented $91,413 to 14 worthy organizations. This year’s donations propelled the cumulative contributions over the 2 million dollar mark for a total of $2,026,163.
