By Bruce Karnick

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It’s been well over two years since the Rotary Club’s 25-foot pontoon boat set voyage on the St Croix River and the Hastings Area Rotary Club is excited to announce its return.

“Being that our program serves seniors, veterans and disabled adults, our groups have been greatly impacted by the pandemic and they couldn’t be more excited to finally get back on the water this summer,” explained program coordinator Colin Scully. Hastings Rivertown Fishing (formerly called Let’s Go Fishing) is a Rotary program that partners with the Hastings Senior Center to take groups from the Veterans Home, senior living communities and disabled adult groups in the Hastings area on fishing and boating excursions on the Saint Croix.

“Our mission is simple, help the groups we serve enjoy their old past time of fishing, being on the water or simply enjoying the outdoors something they wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity to do at this stage in their lives,” added Scully.

In its last season in 2019, Rivertown Fishing made 78 boat trips, serving more than 800 passengers. The organization has been funded for over a decade through sponsorships from local businesses and charitable organizations.

Scully is thankful for the support of the community.

“We’re able to maintain our boat, insurance, provide life jackets, fishing gear, bait and the excursions are 100% free. It’s amazing how much support we receive from the businesses and other organizations in the Hastings community,” he said.

The success of Rivertown Fishing is also dependent on unpaid volunteers, mostly retirees, teachers, sometimes students and professionals in the community who are looking to give back and enjoy the outdoors while doing so.

“Companies will even pay their employees for volunteer days now which several of our volunteers take advantage of,” Scully noted.

With that said, Rivertown Fishing is in need of more volunteers this summer. The volunteer base has shrunk since the pandemic and new people are needing to get involved. This is a perfect opportunity for retirees who are looking for things to do and ways to get involved in the community. Scully is looking to hear from individuals or businesses in the area who might be interested in helping the cause.

Anyone interested in volunteering this summer or would like to learn more about Hastings Rivertown Fishing can visit the Hastings Rotary website www.HastingsMNRotary.com or email Colin at [email protected]

Photo submitted.