Brick Boy's Cast For Cancer Fishing Derby Nets Funds For Research

BRICK, NJ — A Brick Township boy's effort to raise funds for cancer research through a fishing tournament has garnered more than $6,500 so far, two weeks before the event.

Daniel Golembiewski, who's 11 years old, was inspired to create Cast for Cancer after attending a fundraiser with his mother that raised money to help for children with heart disease.

"He talked about it that night," Stacey Golembiewski said. And then he said it again a day or so later, when they went fishing. And she knew her son was serious.

Cast for Cancer combines Daniel's love of fishing with his desire to help others, she said.

"He doesn't like seeing people suffer," she said.

Daniel plays baseball on a travel team, and fishing is his way to relax. As one of the team's key players — Daniel is a pitcher and one of the team's best batters, hitting in the key clean-up spot — he feels a lot of pressure, and spending a few hours casting is a way he can take his mind off that pressure.

His idea to do a fishing fundraiser for cancer research lets him share his love of fishing with his teammates and other children. The decision to donate to the American Cancer Society, Stacey said, came because he has known several people who have faced cancer, including his grandparents, schoolmates and prominent athletes.

The event will feature pink T-shirts and pink bobbers, and so far 80 children have signed up to participate, she said.

A number of fishing organizations and fishermen have volunteered to help out, from contributing items to agreeing to volunteer the day of the event, which is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 6, at Molder's Fishing Preserve, 318 John Wall Road in Monroe. Molder's Fishing Preserve is a private freshwater fishing pond and usually charges for access, but Stacey said they have donated use of the facility for the kids fishing in the derby.

Among those who've pledged support and volunteers are the Jersey Coast Shark Anglers, a fishing club based in Brick.

"In today's world, young people are more interested in 'what's in it for me' but Daniel has certainly gone the other way," said Art Maihack, a member of the Jersey Coast Shark Anglers, who is making pink lures for the event. "I must say I am proud of him, and his mother's ability to provide direction for him to maximize the fundraising with this event."

"He's very passionate about it," Stacey said of Daniel, noting that he even made a video to promote the fundraiser. "I was thinking this would be 10-15 of his friends, but it just keeps growing."

Though a lot of the work on coordinating the fundraiser has fallen to Stacey, she said she's very excited to see it come to fruition.

"It's going to be a real meaningful day for the kids," she said.

The event includes a fishing derby from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for kids ages 14 or younger, and there is a $15 fee per child. Children will be trying to catch as many fish as they can and they must have sponsors pledging money to participate in the event, which begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 5:30 p.m.

The registration fee includes a T-shirt, a pink bobber and pink bait, as well as food and drinks, and there will be prizes raffled off. Adults will be charged a $5 fee to cover food.

Adults who wish to fish will have to pay an $8 fee directly to Molders Fishing Preserve.

Anyone who wishes to participate should contact Stacey Golembiewski at staceygolembiewski@gmail.com. You can get information and updates on the Cast for Cancer Facebook page.

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