In a sport where personal achievement and self-promotion directly equate to more and bigger paychecks, the needs of others can easily be overlooked. But an experience last year left bass pro Edwin Evers' eyes wide open, and his heart filled with desire to help feed a huge number of folks in his own community that can't afford to buy basic groceries and necessities.
"We have a close family friend who is heavily involved with a local Christian charity called "Standing in the Gap." It serves as a distribution center to assist individuals with grocery items on an ongoing basis. My friend asked me to go to the center and lend a hand unloading trucks, carrying boxes, and handing out groceries. I went and helped, and it dang near brought tears to my eyes. I actually helped twice, and we helped about 150 people each time," said Evers.
Edwin is leveraging his popularity as one of the best bass anglers in the world to raffle off a day spent fishing with him as your instructional guide on a bass infested private lake near Ardmore, Oklahoma. Plus you get more than $700 worth of tackle, two premium rod-and-reel combos and one of his autographed tournament jerseys. He will give all the money from the winning bid to Standing in the Gap to buy more groceries.
"I had no idea how many people in my own community were in need. These aren't necessarily homeless people. In one case, there was a guy who came through the distribution line that looked like somebody you'd call your fishing buddy, but the reality was his daughter was battling cancer, and medical bills were sinking their financial ship. He had run out of money to buy basic groceries for his family," explained Evers, a 9-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier.
The greatest need inevitably occurs around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and America's tough economy has created an even greater need this year.
Again, the winning bidder and his or her chosen fishing partner will receive one of Edwin's autographed tournament shirts, two brand new Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier rod-and-reel combos, and a selection of new lures hand picked by Edwin. "By my calculation, the lures alone are worth $700, not to mention three bulk spools of fluorocarbon line, and the rod-and-reel combos. It's not junk I cleaned out of my garage. It's the premium stuff I use on tour," added Evers. Bidders are responsible for their own travel expenses.
Simply visit Edwin's auction site on eBay by typing in item #270312846663. Edwin and yourself can decide on a fishing date once you win. Bidding starts at $500.
Please hurry, the eBay auction ends Saturday December 13th and, unfortunately, the lines at Standing in the Gap aren't getting any shorter. You can learn more about Standing in the Gap at www.sitgowasso.org.