On May 2, 2026, eight families of children with disabilities gathered at Guntersville Civitan Park for a special day of fishing on Lake Guntersville. With help from the Guntersville Fire & Rescue, families boarded nine boats and set out with their fishermen, all eager to make lasting memories together.
Meanwhile, back on shore, volunteers fired up the grill and got lunch ready for the families to enjoy when they returned. As the morning went on, the wind picked up—gusts hit 20 mph, making the lake choppy and fishing a real challenge. Still, the families and their fishermen stayed out, making the most of every moment until lunchtime. When everyone made it back to shore, families proudly showed off their catches, and the celebration began. Even those who didn’t catch a fish joined in, taking pictures together and cheering for their fellow anglers.
Nine-year-old Ruger, who recently had an organ transplant, described the boat ride to their fishing spot as a “roller coaster,” saying, “The boat made us go up and down.” His excitement soared when he felt a fish on the line—“Is it a big one? Oh Lord, it is!” Reeling it in was not easy: “When it’s hooked, it’s hard to pull because they are big fish.” Seeing the fish, with its “greyish color and shiny scales,” made a lasting impression. His mom’s high-five marked Ruger’s proudest moment: catching a “big, big fish” weighing 63 pounds. Ruger shared a helpful tip from his fishermen, Josh Williams and Terry Haraway: “Put gloves on your hands so when the catfish bite, it doesn’t hurt as bad.” For Ruger, the best part was the combination of the boat ride, snacks, and family time. In all, Ruger and his family caught six fish, including two 20-pounders and one 40-pounder.
Devin, a young lady with Down syndrome, touched everyone with her heartfelt warmth and sweet spirit. She described her boat ride as “fast! I went fishing and got wind blowing in my face.” When she felt a tug on her line, Devin exclaimed, “It was cool!” The fish splashed water as she caught it, and she proudly recalled, “It was big and shiny.” For Devin, the highlight was “going fishing with my Daddy and getting two fish.” She was happy to share a tip from her fisherman, Mark Campbell: “We caught the fish with a worm.” For Devin, the day was about fishing, the boat ride, and enjoying a hot dog, plain chips, and a chocolate chip cookie for lunch. Her advice to anyone nervous about fishing: “You should do it because it makes me happy!”
Ten-year-old Levi, who uses a wheelchair because of Spina Bifida, radiates infectious enthusiasm wherever he goes. He described the boat ride to their fishing spot that morning as “pretty smooth, just a little windy.” Levi’s excitement soared when he felt a tug on his line: “My heart was beating—I was hoping it was a big one.” Although his catfish “didn’t really fight, just came up,” he was thrilled to see it out of the water: “It was fat and slimy.” The group celebrated together, with Levi’s mom cheering the loudest and everyone taking pictures—making Levi feel like a true fishing champion. He even learned to drive a boat from his fisherman, Donnie Fountain. If Levi could relive any moment, it would be “getting the fishing pole that was given to me.” When asked what stood out the most, he simply said, “All of it.” For anyone nervous about fishing, Levi’s advice is: “Just try it, because it’s fun.” After taking photos, Levi’s group released all four impressive catfish they caught.
After the excitement on the water and a hearty lunch, the children all received fishing rods donated by Fountain Roofing & Remodeling. Reflecting on the day, the donors shared, “Events like this remind us what truly matters—community, compassion, and giving back. We are proud to stand alongside an organization (United Special Sportsman Alliance) that makes such a meaningful difference.”
Thank you to the anglers whose dedication made the fishing trips possible for the special families: Bob Brooks, David Ryals, Donnie Fountain, Greg Maze, Johnathan Long, Josh Williams, Justin Hatch, Lonnie Fountain, and Mark Campbell.
We also thank Joe Davis and his team, the City of Guntersville Park & Recreation, Guntersville Fire and Rescue, Villa Barone Hilltop Manor, Glenn Morris Memorial, the Michelson Family, Hampton Inn, and Domino’s for their support. Congratulations to all families for the beautiful memories made together. This event truly showed the community’s spirit and the joy of giving. God bless!