Fishing enthusiasts will be casting their lines and reeling in the goods Saturday, Sept. 30, to ensure that many children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego can fulfill their most important dreams.
The 17th annual Tuna Challenge, a fishing competition that has raised money over the years to grant wishes for children with life threatening conditions, will begin at 5 a.m. at the Silver Gate Yacht Club, 2091 Shelter Island Drive.
“It’s a community event where everyone can get involved and get behind what we call the power of a wish,” said Alex Cano, the community events manager for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego. “When you can get involved in making a dream come true it transforms you. You are a part of making someone’s life a little more hopeful and joyful.”
As the largest tuna fishing competition in the country, the Tuna Challenge generated $300,000 last year and granted 40 children’s wishes, according to Cano. More than 100 boats and 400 to 600 anglers participated in last year’s competition, and this year’s numbers are expected to be similar, Cano said.
A banquet, auctions, music, food, tournament awards and a raffle for a $35,000 Skeeter Bay Boat will top off the event. The wishes of five children from San Diego will be featured to make the community aware of the event’s impact.
For more information, visit www.tunachallenge.org or www.wishsandiego.org, or call (858) 707-9474.