For the third consecutive year, we are proud to announce our sponsorship of the Fish for Truck Safety: Fins for Fons Fishing Tournament in memory of Dave Fons.
Taking place September 16 and 17 at the Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village, the tournament angles to raise money for the Dave Fons Memorial Fund, which works to bring awareness for and money toward truck safety education. The nonprofit also provides resources and support to survivors and families affected by truck-related accidents and advocates for greater truck safety on the roadways.
Dave, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, was tragically killed in an automobile accident involving a large dump truck in 2017.
The tournament, now in its third year, is hosting both inshore and offshore formats, with both adult and junior divisions. Cash prizes will be awarded to winning teams in adult inshore and adult offshore divisions, and junior anglers will receive trophies for placing in the top three.
TACO donated a ShadeFin®, a Kite Fishing Rod Cluster, Rod & Reel Tote’M Racks and Tumbler Poly Holders toward the tournament’s raffle prizes.
Last year, the tournament raised an astounding $89,000 to support the Memorial Fund’s initiatives, including its college scholarship programs in Florida and Michigan, a U.S. Veteran trucking program scholarship, a monthly truck driver safety reward program in Florida and Michigan, and a new truck safety billboard campaign.
2021 Fins for Fons Offshore 1st place team Gardner Asphalt Supply. From left to right, Captain Kevin Olsen (Elite Fishing Charters), Jesus Yepez, Brian Beasley, Shawn Brannack and Jose Hernandez with Memorial Fund President Garrett Fons. Photo courtesy / Dave Fons Memorial Fund
2021 Fins for Fons Inshore 1st place team Ajax Paving Industries of Florida, LLC. Ajax Area 2. From left to right, Memorial Fund President Garrett Fons with Jeff Krull, Joe Dutton and Lee Strauss, and Captain Leiza Fitzgerald (CCA). Photo courtesy / Dave Fons Memorial Fund
“We have a year-long truck safety awareness billboard campaign in both Florida and Michigan this year,” explained Courtney Sprague, Secretary for the Memorial Fund and Dave’s daughter. “The slogan for this campaign is ‘Truck Safety is Everyone's Responsibility,’ which highlights our stance that it is just as important for passenger vehicle drivers to understand how to operate their vehicles safely around trucks, as it is for truck drivers to be informed and vigilant about safety.”
The Michigan-based Fund also provides free truck safety resources on its website, found here.
“As Dave was involved in the construction and aggregate industry, it was truly ironic that his life ended the way it did,” reads the Fund’s website. “His family found a greater meaning in his death and created the Dave Fons Memorial Fund for the Advocacy of Truck Safety just days after his death. It was important for them to make an effort to help other families in their position, as well as prevent other tragedies like this from occurring.”
Dave leaves behind his wife of 42 years, Jill, and their three children, Garrett, the nonprofit’s President, Brendan, Vice President, and Courtney, Secretary, as well as their spouses, five grandchildren, extended family and many friends.
“When advocating for safer trucking and raising support for our cause, we have been met with nothing but positivity, camaraderie, and generosity,” said Courtney. “We are so grateful. It is because of this amazing community of support that we are able to make the roads safer for all of us.”
To learn more about the nonprofit or register for the Fish for Truck Safety: Fins for Fons Fishing Tournament, visit its website trucksafetyfordavefons.org. Additionally, find the nonprofit on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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