JENSEN BEACH —
The third annual Michael Shields Memorial Inshore Open will be held at
and hosted by the River Palm Cottages & Fish Camp in Jensen Beach on
Sept. 23-24. The event, presented by Michael B. Weinberg and Merrill
Lynch, benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County.

“We think there is no better way to honor the legacy of Michael
Shields than to help generate funds that will directly impact the
children and teens that the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County
serves,” said Bob Zaccheo, who is chairing this year’s Open.

The Open, the largest inshore tournament on the Treasure Coast, is
named after longtime Martin County resident Michael Shields, who died at
the age of 23 from bone cancer. It is open to anglers of all ages and
all skill levels.  The tournament follows a catch and release format,
with separate categories for snook, tarpon, trout, and redfish.  In
addition, a fishing clinic, a Captains Reception, and a BBQ will be held
over the weekend.  All events are included in a $100 registration fee.
For those wish to only attend the Captain’s Party, tickets are $50 per
person in advance or $75 at the door.

The committee’s fundraising goal this year is $60,000.  More than
half those funds will be allocated to Membership scholarships, ensuring
that children and teens who wish to attend the Boys & Girls Clubs of
Martin County can do so, regardless of their family’s ability to pay.
Funding will support critical Club needs, including field trips,
nutritious snacks, Club T-shirts, swim lessons, art supplies, sports
equipment, and administrative expenses.

The 2011 Executive Committee includes Bob Zaccheo (Chairman), Michael
Weinberg (Past Chairman), Jade Smith (Director of Operations), Chris
Higgins (Director of Sponsorship), RJ Ferraro (Director of
Registration), and Shaun Plymale (Director of the Fishing Clinic).
Karen Hester is the Volunteer Director.  Other committee members are:
Melissa Burke, Mat Churchey, James Ferraro, Nina Ferraro, Sarah
Franklin, Jared Gillman, Pat Graham, Dawn Greenlees, Paige Hardy, Larry
Jones, Bob Mark, Jeremy Neff, Vanessa Neff, Carrie Proctor, Sooky
Shields, Steven Shields, Rufus Wakeman, Jaime Williams, Tanya Windecker,
and Katie Zaccheo.

Sponsorships are still available.  To date, sponsors include:
Michael Weinberg/Merrill Lynch and Bank of America; River Palms
Cottages; Island Party Rentals; Ferraro Law Group; Chapman &
Plymale; Charlie’s Bar & Grill; Crowder Rods; Stephen Shields, DMD;
Ben Hodas Law; All American Roofing; You’re CFO; Tequesta Insurance;
Ohle & Ohle; Liberty Medical; Robert Zaccheo, Sr.; Fogel Capital
Management; Jones Lowry; Webs by Melissa; Express Printing; Norcross
Marine Products; Oral Surgical Associates; Susan Page; College
Connection; Four Fish Marina; Red Tail Hawk Lures; Miller’s Ale House;
DOA Lures; Mulligan’s Restaurant & Bar; Anthony’s Coal Fire Pizza;
Mandalay Island Fish Prints; Sonny’s Bar-B-Q; Dee-Stefano’s; Chef Mark
Muller; Redfish Rick’s; Lewis Marine; David Nehme, M.D. P.A.; John Nehme
M.D. P.A.; Aesthetic Dentistry of Palm City; Martin County High School
Class of 1991; Louis Taormina; Eclipse Entertainment; Christenson
Pittman Auctions; The Ice Bucket; Charlie’s Worms; and Fish Florida.

To learn more, call 772.545.1255 or visit www.fishforthekids.org.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County

Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County (www.bgcmartin.org) inspires
and enables all young people, especially those who need us the most, to
reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America
(www.bgca.org) has enabled young people, especially those who need Clubs
most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible
citizens. Today, some 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs serve more than 4.2
million young people through Club membership and community outreach.
Clubs can be found throughout the country and on U.S. military
installations worldwide, providing young people 6-18 years old with
guidance-oriented character development programs conducted by trained,
professional staff. Key programs emphasize leadership development;
education and career exploration; community service; technology
training; financial literacy; health and life skills; the arts; sports,
fitness and recreation; and family outreach. In a Harris Survey of
alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National
headquarters are located in Atlanta.

This story is contributed by a member of the Treasure Coast community and is neither endorsed nor affiliated with TCPalm.com