COURTLAND—A Three Rivers Bass Tournament Series member said the club had been looking to do something for Area 29 Special Olympics since last year, and this Saturday it will finally come together.

“I love the cause. It is like that story that we read about the local kid who competed in swimming,” club member Mike Wise said of Jorden Jarratt of Capron, who recently started competing and won a gold medal at the Special Olympics State Tournament in Richmond.

“It was really inspirational for us.”

Wise said he liked the idea of being able to help people such as Jarratt, who has autism, be able to participate in Special Olympics.

“I admire those kids for getting out there and doing this,” he said. “This is something we have been trying to do, and this year we were able to plan it out. We are going to do it again next year, and improve on it, and just keep improving from there.”

Pat Smith, who is the treasurer with Area 29 Special Olympics, said this type of event is how they get money to bring in new athletes and pay for traveling expenses to compete in the events around the state.

“Special Olympics gives kids that don’t have an opportunity to participate in normal sports, to have the opportunity to be able to,” said Smith, who has a SO participant son, Ethan. “It makes a huge difference in their lives, not only in sports and competition, but also in socializing and having friendships. These are things that they may not get if this wasn’t available to them.”

Smith said that she and Area Coordinator Frank Zielinski would be out there to set up. They would also help with donations, as TRBT is encouraging people to contribute beyond the tournament entry fees, which will be split with Area 29. They will also be back out at 3 p.m., along with some of the local Special Olympic athletes, for the weigh-in.

Wise said he was excited about that.

“I am really looking forward to meeting the kids Saturday,” he said. “I would encourage people to come out and meet them. Even if you don’t fish, you can come out, meet them and make donations. Or you can just come out to see who they are.”

Smith said she hopes that there is a good turnout.

“It looks like the weather will be good on Saturday,” she said. “It won’t be too hot. I’m really looking forward to it.”

The tournament will begin at 6 a.m. Saturday at the Route 258 South General Vaughan Bridge boat landing on the Nottoway. Sign ups for the tournament are from 5 to 5:45 a.m.

Cost is $40 total — $30 for the tournament, and $10 for the big fish pot. Proceeds will be split 50-50 with Area 29 Special Olympics. TRBT will also be donating $100 to the organization.

Bass tournament rules apply, which means you need to fish from a boat and cannot use live bait. There is a 12-inch limit on the length of the fish for it to be weighed. They will weight each participants top five fish. Final weigh-in is at 3 p.m. back at the Nottoway boat ramp.

For more information, email Alesia Williams at trbtseriesnews@gmail.com or like the Three Rivers Bass Tournament Series on Facebook and ask questions there.

“It is just a good opportunity to get out with your friends and family, supporting a good cause and having a lot of fun at the same time,” Wise said. “It will help out all of these young kids, young adults and adults who have been practicing really hard to achieve a goal.”