Organizations We Support
The Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament is committed to giving back to the community. We believe the future belongs to our children, and it’s our responsibility to support them and conserve our marine resources for them. Towards that end we have donated over $1.5 million to date.
In addition to our commitment to youth organizations including Achievable Dream and the Boys and Girls Clubs, we feel that the fate of our sportfishing traditions are closely intertwined with the health and viability of our oceans and the fish they harbor. To that end we support The Billfish Foundation, an organization that works tirelessly to protect and maintain these resources for the generations to come.
Achievable Dream
Achievable Dream is a unique partnership between Newport News Public Schools, the City of Newport News, and the local business community to give our students who are at risk of failure in school due to socioeconomic factors, a chance to succeed. Students in kindergarten through 12th grade are offered a quality education in a nurturing environment as well as the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with caring adults.
It is our mission to challenge and motivate all students to exceed their own expectations in academic achievement and social progress and to instill in all children respect for themselves, respect for their adult leaders and respect for core human values by providing all children with a social academic, and moral education. For more information visit achievabledream.org.
Boys & Girls Clubs
In every community, boys and girls are left to find their own recreation and companionship in the streets. An increasing number of children are at home with no adult care or supervision. Young people need to know that someone cares about them.
Boys & Girls Clubs offer that and more. Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence. They’re a safe place to learn and grow while having fun—they are truly the Positive Place for Kids. The BAGC mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. They provide a safe place to learn and grow, ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals, life-enhancing programs, character developing experiences, hope and opportunity. For more information visit www.bgca.org.
Woodington Scholarship Fund
Some people you meet are simply larger than life. They fill the space around them with vitality and make an abiding impression. Local sport-fishing legend Josiah Woodington, “Captain Woody”, was that guy. Woody was well known for taking kids under his wing, showing them the ropes and guiding their way around a cockpit.
In honor of this legacy, his son Joe Woodington created a memorial fund in conjunction with the VBBT—the Josiah Woodington “Captain Woody” Scholarship Fund. Its mission is to provide need-based financial aid for young adults hoping to enter schools or apprenticeship programs in marine or marine-related trades and disciplines. This serves to both honor the legacy that Woody inspired and expand our outreach to include education that benefits our youth, our sport and our industry for years to come.
The program is administered by the ACCESS College Foundation. For information regarding applications, as well as how you can make a tax-deductible donation to the scholorship fund, email Deirdre Bell Loftin or call 757.287.4932.
