Each year since 2005, the Ford Plantation in Richmond Hill has hosted special needs students from across Bryan County at an annual Fish with Friends event. This year, it will be held on Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Each student, accompanied by his/her family member, is paired with a Ford Plantation volunteer. With the assistance of fishing guides, the children enjoy  a fun-filled morning of fishing. Afterwards, students and families join the volunteer members and Bryan County school representatives for a lunch and trophy presentation. Each student receives a fishing rod, T-shirt, hat and trophy to remember the day.

“This event is a chance for us to give back to our amazing community and to connect with some terrific young people and their families,” said Lila Scott, one of the event’s founders and organizers along with her husband Jeff and friends and co-founders Ben and Susie MacMillan.

The families of the children, members of the Bryan County School system, and many volunteer members of The Ford Plantation gather to host 20–40 students ages five to 12. It is not unusual for volunteer members to forge meaningful relationships with the children and their families that can continue long after their Fish with Friends experience.

“Fish with Friends is always a good way to connect with people through a common interest,” said organizer and volunteer Jeffrey Scott.