For more than 50 years, Big Uncle Day has brought the joy of a day of fishing to disabled children in the area.
This year, Big Uncle Day will be held Sunday, June 1, with registration at 8:30 a.m. at the Venango County Coon and Fox Club.
But a recent downward trend has club members concerned.
Big Uncle Day began in 1968 when a small group of sportsmen from various clubs in the area came together to provide an opportunity for children with disabilities to get out and enjoy nature.
The event continued to grow and relocate until it landed at the Coon and Fox Club, which has the capability to house large crowds.
“To see (the children) catch a fish…the smile on their faces, that’s what it’s about,” said Elymer Young, who’s been part of the Coon and Fox Club since the 1950s.
“This might be the only time these kids get to fish…they’ve never held a pole before,” Young said.
Throughout the day volunteers dubbed “big uncles and aunts” help the children catch and clean fish, bait hooks and dole out prizes and food.
“(The children’s) caretakers, they’re angels, but we need people to help out too,” Young said. “If you don’t have good help, you can’t keep going.”
Another draw to the event is the club’s recently restored pond. Its gravel bottom and spring water accommodate the nearly $700 worth of trout that are stocked just before the event.
“We get the big palomino trout,” Young said.
In addition to taking home up to three fish, prizes are awarded for the first boy and girl to catch a fish as well as a prize to each boy and girl who catch the biggest fish.
The biggest prize of the day, for both the children and the volunteers, are the memories.
“I’ll never forget this one time a boy was reeling in a fish and it come up and smacked him in the face…he never stopped smiling once,” Young said.
Anyone interested in registering for the event or volunteering to be an uncle or aunt should call Goughler at (814) 657-7691 or club vice president Paul Osborn at (814) 437-6054.
The event is free, and lunch will be provided.
