Every year at this time, specks and reds get the itch to slam jerkbaits.
When free agent quarterback Drew Brees inked his name on the richest contract in New Orleans Saints history last spring, the entire region rejoiced over the prospects of watching the overacheiving passer hurling bullets to the team’s speedy wideouts.
That script could hardly have played out any better, as the Saints, behind Brees’ gutty leadership, reached the NFC Championship game for the first time in team history.
But no group of residents has benefitted more from Brees blowing into town than the patients at New Orleans Children’s Hospital. Twice during the course of the season, the quarterback won FedEx Air Player of the Week honors, and he won the overall FedEx Air Player of the Year award at the end of the season. As a result, total prize money awarded to New Orleans Children’s Hospital in his name was $35,000.
Brees has also funded and organized Children’s Hospital programs through his The Brees Dream Foundation, and one of the most exciting is fast approaching.
In mid May, Brees will team up with Venice guide Capt. Andy Mnichowski to take 34 critically ill Children’s Hospital patients on a fishing trip they’ll never forget.
“(Each patient) will be fishing with one New Orleans Saints player and a professional guide,” Brees said. “They will receive their very own rod-and-reel, tackle box with tackle, T-shirts, hats and fishing towels.”
Because of their health requirements, some of the patients may not be able to stay out long, but Mnichowski said he and the other guides involved will do whatever it takes to meet the kids’ needs.
“We just want to let them get out, catch a few fish and forget about being patients for a while,” he said.
The Brees Dream Foundation is accepting donations to help defray some of the costs for the event. Interested parties should contact Marisha LaHaye at (619) 954-9698.
