Press Releases
ALEXANDRIA, VA (September 3, 2009) – The winner of the first-ever ‘Catch A Boat’ sweepstakes on TakeMeFishing.org is Dawn Garlick of Plymouth, Ill., who was selected from more than 46,000 people from across the country to take home the grand prize. Garlick will receive a brand new boat, motor and trailer valued at $24,000.
“I screamed and did a little dance,” said Garlick, who found out about her big win while up late one night reading e-mails. “I read the e-mail over and over because I thought it wasn’t real. Once I realized it was real, I grabbed my husband and woke him up.”
Garlick, an outdoors enthusiast who loves to garden and spend time with her children and grandchildren, found information about the contest online. She entered because she and her husband, who both enjoy fishing, have always wanted a boat of their own.
Sponsored by the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF), Catch A Boat – The Ultimate Online Fishing Tournament – ran for seven weeks and was designed to encourage boating and fishing participation. Launched at the start of National Fishing and Boating Week in June, the interactive online game let TakeMeFishing.org visitors virtually “fish” for a chance to win daily prizes and the grand prize boat, motor and trailer package. Catch A Boat also increased traffic to TakeMeFishing.org, the premier destination Web site for boaters and anglers to learn, plan and equip for a day on the water.
“Catch A Boat helped introduce boaters and anglers of all ages and experience levels to the great resources available on TakeMeFishing.org,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “We congratulate Dawn on her big win and know that she will enjoy sharing time on the water with her family.”
Garlick says her son, who’s in the Army and currently serving in Afghanistan, has tried to talk her out of the boat. “He wants it for himself,” she said with a laugh. Where will the Garlicks go on their first outing? “Probably Argyle Lake,” she added.
“The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation is a great organization and we’re pleased that someone from Illinois will have the opportunity to experience the outdoors in a whole new way,” said Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Marc Miller. “Congratulations to Mrs. Garlick on her first boat. I hope she and her family have many wonderful and safe experiences on Illinois Waters.”
TakeMeFishing.org is the centerpiece of the national Take Me Fishing™ campaign. The site earned national recognition in 2009 with three awards – a Bronze Anvil from the Public Relations Society of America, a Gold Circle Award from the American Society of Association Executives and the site’s social network ‘Fishington’ was recognized as a Webby Award Honoree.
About RBFF
RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation’s aquatic natural resources. RBFF helps people discover, share and protect the legacy of boating and fishing through national outreach programs including the Take Me Fishing™ campaign and Anglers’ Legacy™.
