On June 4, 2025, an escort from the Cicero Police and Fire Department guided thirty-four special children and their families to the South Bay Fire Department in Cicero, New York. Inside, the firehouse was beautifully decorated in patriotic colors, offering a warm, welcoming environment.
Excited, the children eagerly asked their boat captains about fishing. The captains happily shared their expertise over a delicious smorgasbord dinner, filling the room with lively conversation, laughter, and memorable energy.
Early the following morning, the Holiday Inn parking lot glowed with bright smiles and anticipation. The families watched as a massive fleet of police vehicles, fire trucks, and ambulances from Cicero, Brewerton, South Bay, and Clay arrived. To the children’s delight, this parade was just for them, and they even got to choose which emergency vehicle to ride in for the exciting journey to Oneida Shores Park.
Meanwhile, the parents lined up their cars behind a lead patrol vehicle. An impressive convoy followed: eight fire trucks, a Heavy Rescue Squad, an ambulance, and a Police Stealth SUV, with another police SUV bringing up the rear to ensure a safe, unforgettable escort to Oneida Shores Park.
Upon arriving at the dock, the families were greeted by their captains, fitted with life jackets, and given new fishing rods. Before boarding, everyone gathered for a group photo, followed by a rendition of the national anthem by 13-year-old Micah Lucas. Then, twenty boats sped away toward the captains’ favorite fishing spots. The children’s faces lit up with joy as they were swept up in the excitement of the ride and the adventure ahead, an experience they would cherish for years to come.
For families caring for children with complex medical needs, a day at the lake is anything but simple. Sixteen-year-old Johnathan, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy and communicates non-verbally, requires constant care and careful planning. His parents, Jamie and Andrei, are accustomed to days structured around medical routines and doctor appointments, making even the idea of a fishing trip feel daunting.
The logistics alone brought a wave of stress for the family. “Yesterday, when I was coming here, I was very nervous because we have never done anything like this,” Jamie shared. “Families like ours go through a daily routine of doctors and life planning; when it all piles up, it’s a lot. It takes so much just to get him out of the house. It makes all the difference to have organizations that say, ‘Hey, we can do this with you,’ because we can’t do it without them.”
Despite the challenges, the day on the water brought moments of pure joy. Johnathan smiled as the boat sped across the lake, touching every walleye, pickerel, and perch they caught, and beaming as he released each fish back into the water with Captain John Ott. The event gave Andrei, Johnathan’s father, a chance to fish for the first time in twenty years and to connect with other parents who understand their life’s journey. “Our son has had many medical hurdles we’ve managed since he was very little,” Andrei said. “It is amazing to see people who are so involved and have done this for many years. I am super thankful.”
Johnathan’s family wasn’t the only one finding joy and breaking barriers on the water. Sisters Brianna, 6, and Makiah, 7, climbed aboard a boat with their mother, Elizabeth, and Captain Carl Elsner. Within a half-hour of launching onto the lake, the girls reeled in their first sunfish and pickerel. Though they initially squealed “Ewww!” with hesitation, their fears quickly gave way to curiosity, and both girls touched the fish they caught. Brianna got a turn behind the wheel, beaming as she shared, “My captain was nice, and he let me drive his boat—and I went slow.”
For Elizabeth, the day represented much more than an afternoon of outdoor recreation. “This fishing event was something truly special,” she reflected. “It’s about learning new activities, meeting new people, overcoming fears, and helping with behavioral challenges.”
Meanwhile, the girls’ 10-year-old brother, Brayden, was busy making his own waves with Captain Chris and Eddie Robberts. It took five to ten minutes for Brayden to land his first bite of the day, ultimately reeling in eight fish. “Captain Chris and Eddie taught me how to cast and stuff,” Brayden said proudly, noting that he reeled several of them in by himself. When asked what the highlight of the whole experience was, his answer was simple and enthusiastic: “Catching fish!”
The day was also filled with milestones for nine-year-old Noah, who stepped onto a boat for the first time alongside his guardian, Dave, and Captain Logan Anchor. Noah admitted to some initial nerves before leaving the dock, recalling, “I was afraid the boat might tip.” However, those fears vanished the moment the engine started. “When the boat took off, I felt happy,” Noah said. “The first fish I caught was little, and then a little while later we caught a big one, and I was happy, but then we had to put him back in the water.” In total, they reeled in 17 perch and walleye, with Noah using his hands to show the size of his biggest catch, which measured around 22 to 23 inches.
Dave watched Noah’s transformation on the water with immense gratitude. “It was a great time,” Dave shared. “It was Noah’s first time fishing, and he and Captain Logan were the lucky charms! It was good to see little Noah smiling and really enjoying the outdoors. First time on a boat, first time fishing—definitely great to see him have that experience.”
Ultimately, that sense of wonder connected every family out on the lake. For all the children involved, the most impactful part of the day was simply getting out, meeting new people, embracing new experiences, and seeing things they had never experienced anywhere else.
Nine-year-old Jiavanna, who has Down syndrome, brought a contagious smile to the water that was hard to miss. She and her parents fished alongside Captain David Johns, and by the end of the day, Jiavanna held up seven fingers to show off her total catch. When asked how she felt landing her first fish, she threw both fists in the air, brought them down to her chest with a grin, and shouted, “YES!!” That excitement carried over to the boat ride; whenever she wanted the captain to speed up, she shook with excitement and cheered, “Run!” When asked if she would want to go fishing again, she nodded and said another enthusiastic “Yes!”
Her mother, Tracy, watched her daughter thrive in the new environment with delight. “Jiavanna loved every second of the fishing trip,” Tracy said. “She had her hands in the water, loved seeing all the boats, and was saluting all the other captains. It was nice to see my daughter happy, engaged, and trying new things. We have never been on a big lake fishing, so this was our first time, and we would do it again in a heartbeat. She loved being out there on the water; we actually had to try to keep her from jumping in!”
An unforgettable event like this requires immense coordination, and gratitude goes to Keith Houser and his dedicated staff for organizing it. The success of the day is a direct result of the efforts, hard work, and heart poured in by the boat captains, first mates, and volunteers—including Chief Steve Rotunno, Chief Jon Barrett, Captain Mark Sposato, Blake Lonergan, Karen Purdy, and Jim Perrin.
A special thank you also goes to the local agencies and emergency services that added excitement to the children’s day, including the Cicero Police Department, Cicero Fire Department, South Bay Fire Department, Brewerton Fire Department, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and Onondaga County Parks. This event was further strengthened by the generous donations and financial support of Villa Barone Hilltop Manor, Holiday Inn Express, Walleye Wednesday, Lakeside Outfitters, Reworld, Soco Baits, Morgan’s Bait, Toss & Fire Wood-Fired Pizza, Harpoon Eddies, McDonald’s, Subway, and the USSA’s New York Chapter. 
Ultimately, the event was a reminder of what happens when a community unites to support its families. Congratulations to all the participants, captains, and first mates on an excellent catch, beautiful weather, and memories that will be replayed in videos and smiles for years to come. God bless!