Classic Bass Applauds and Supports the Anglers for an Incredible Fundraising Effort for the
Children of St. Jude
The 26th Annual Dick Hiley St. Jude Bass Classic recently held in Wabasha, MN on the Mississippi River has been one of the most successful fundraisers to date. This annual bass fishing tournament centers around fundraising for the St. Jude Children’s Hospital and over the past 26 years, the tournament has raised over $7.6 million for the kids of St. Jude and has become a nationally recognized success.
Anglers from across the Midwest came together to raise over $852,000 during this two-day event. All proceeds from the tournament benefit St. Jude, where families never receive a bill for the efforts that are needed to help their children beat cancer.
“You would be hard pressed to find a better cause than that of raising funds for St. Jude Children’s Hospital,” stated Scott Bonnema, Owner of Classic Bass. “An incredible facility that does whatever it takes to help children and their families during the most difficult time of their lives. For this reason, the participants of the Dick Hiley St. Jude Bass Classic continually put forth an amazing effort, and I am honored to not only be an angler in this event, but partner with the tournament as well.”
Classic Bass annually offers up a contingency program for the anglers competing in the event, where on day two, if both members of a competing team wear the official Classic Bass/St. Jude Bass Classic hat across the weigh in stage, they will be eligible for an additional $200, paid to the highest finishing team that participates in the program.
“This program is not only a great way to help raise some additional funds for the kids of St. Jude, but also give the anglers a chance to win a little bit extra for their efforts on the water,” said Bonnema.
The Classic Bass contingency winners for the 2024 event were Glenn Walker and his tournament partner, Jeremiah Shaver, who raised over $50,000 for St. Jude, which put them as the fourth highest fundraising team. The duo also saw success on the water, by catching a two-day limit of bass (12), for a total weight of 39.67 lb’s putting them in seventh place. Walker has fished the event for 13 years and in that time has raised over $208,000 for St. Jude Children’s Hospital and serves on the St. Jude Bass Classic Tournament Committee.
The Dick Hiley St. Jude Bass Classic also relies on The Reel LiveWell App to provide a real time leaderboard that allows competing teams, their family, and friends to see the standings real time following their weights being entered into the App. You can see the full results from the 2024 Dick Hiley St. Jude Bass Classic here.
Next year is sure to be another great success when the tournament arrives back in Wabasha on May 3rd – 4th. Anglers will look to meet heightened fundraising goals and Classic Bass, along with The Reel LiveWell App, will be partnered again with the Dick Hiley St. Jude Bass Classic.
