More than 50 students with the Life Skills program at six local schools teamed up with Charles County Sheriff’s employees on Wednesday for the 4th annual fishing derby at Gilbert Run Park. Sheriff Rex Coffey, CCSO command staff, sworn officers, corrections personnel, police cadets, MSP troopers, and representatives from the La Plata Blue Knights joined the youngsters for a few hours of fishing and fellowship. Officers taught the kids how to hook, bait, cast, and reel, but the lessons went beyond that. In the words of one officer, “The kids taught us a thing or two.”
Debbie Muth, a substitute teacher and fishing enthusiast, coordinated the field trip. “I’ve been fishing for more than 25 years. When I began teaching at Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School, I realized the children in the Life Skills program might like to give fishing a try. I thought it would be a great field trip since they don’t often get to go out on trips like this. So my sister, Gale Bennett and her daughter, Megan, and I got permission to take six children to the park to fish. We used our own money to pay for everything and we worked one-on-one with the kids. It was such a success that in the years to come, I had to get help because more and more kids wanted to join. I contacted Cpl. Jeremy Hebb with the Sheriff’s Office and he lined up a whole school of volunteers from the CCSO, including Sheriff Coffey.”
Since then, the field trip has indeed grown. This year, six schools and 52 children in Life Skills participated with at least 50 adult volunteers. “I can’t thank the men and women enough for all of their help,” said Ms. Muth. “Their willingness to partner with us means so much to these children and their parents.”
“There is no doubt that our help with this program has value and we’re always willing to help,” said Sheriff Coffey. “I am a firm believer that giving back to the community has huge dividends which sometimes can only be measured by the thanks, smiles and hugs we receive. From the looks of some of our officers, I think they were having as much fun as some of the kids. It was truly a good experience.”
Wal-Mart, Fred’s Sports and CCSO employees contributed to the program by donating fishing rods and bait. To see more photos of the event, visit the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ccsomd.
