Du Quoin High School bass club receives generous $2,500 donation from Don Kunkel
Love of the outdoors and academics go hand-in-hand.
To that end, a Perry County farmer, Don Kunkel of Du Quoin has made a $2,500 donation to the Du Quoin High School bass club through Monsanto's "America's Farmers Grow Communities" program.
Kunkel and Monsanto's Jonathan Schneider presented the check on Friday to club sponsor Nathan Crain and members of the bass fishing team.
The donation will help the organization purchase new life jackets, uniforms and equipment, and support tournament entry fees and fuel costs.
"The greatest thing about the club is that what the kids learn lasts beyond their high school graduation," said Coach Crain. "The skills and knowledge they acquire include fishing, operating a boat and competing. It also gives them the chance to earn college scholarships to compete anywhere in the U.S."
According to Cain, Kunkel is a strong supporter of the organization.
"Whenever we need his boat or resources he is always one of the first ones to help out," said Crain. "We can always count on him."
Crain said there are approximately 25 members in the DHS bass club. "We will start fishing competitively against other schools in March.
He said the sectional tournament will be held May 1 and the team will be taking two boats to the tournament.
"I have a great group of kids," said Crain. "We have great support from the school as well as the community.
For five years, America's Farmers Grow Communities has collaborated with farmers to donate over $16.5 million to over 7,300 community organizations across rural America. This year winning farmers will direct another $3.3 million to nonprofits to help fight rural hunger, purchase life saving fire and EMS equipment, support ag youth leadership programs, buy much needed classroom resources, and so much more.
America's Farmers Grow Communities is part of the America's Farmers initiative. Since 2010, the America's Farmers campaign and programs have advocated on behalf of farmers and their efforts to meet society's needs through agriculture. Today, consumers are more interested than ever in agriculture and how food is grown. Consider joining the conversation and helping to raise awareness about agriculture. Learn more at FoodDialogues.com.
A sister program in the America's Farmers effort, Grow Rural Education, is currently in its farmer nomination phase. Farmers interested in supporting math and science education in their communities should visit www.GrowRuralEducation.com from now through April 1 to learn how.