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Eighteen-year-old A.J. Casella is about to hold his 6th annual Fish For A Wish fishing tournament. A.J. recently graduated from The Branson School in Tiburon and is about to go off to USC, but before he does he is working very hard on his annual fishing event. In the first year, when he was only 13 years old, we were stunned when he presented our chapter with a check for $6,000. Since then he has raised over $150,000 to help grant wishes! His goal this year is to reach $200,000.
A.J. came up with the idea to run his tournament based on his friendship with a boy named John who lost his battle to leukemia. A.J. saw what an impact John’s wish to attend Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game had on his friend and decided he would run a fishing tournament, combining his passion for his favorite sport with his desire to raise funds for other wish kids.
“A.J. has become a member of the Make-A-Wish family,” said Patricia Wilson, Executive Director. “Not only does he work with us in raising significant funds for wishes, he is the first Chair of our new Young Professional Advisory Council, Jr. His leadership and drive will take him far as he prepares for his career in college. He has an incredible future ahead of him.”
Each year A.J. has become more savvy in planning and promoting Fish For A Wish, and the tournament has grown to be a major event at Lake Almanor, where A.J.’s father and uncle own the Big Cove Resort. He spends his summer organizing the event, including contacting merchants for prizes and donations, doing press interviews, advertising the event, selling raffle tickets and planning a luncheon for all participants. In spite of his success, he gave himself the challenge of raising $200,000 for Make-A-Wish before he begins college this fall.
You can help A.J. reach his goal. Just click here.
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