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Kennesaw, GA - Bassmaster Classic Champion Alton Jones and Yamaha Marine Group announced today a joint effort benefiting youth through the sport of pro bass fishing. After his recent Classic win, Jones pledged to donate $10 for every pound of fish he catches through the end of the year to Lifeline Youth and Family Services. Yamaha agreed to match Jones' donation 'pound-for-pound' in 2008.
Lifeline, a non-profit dedicated to rebuilding the lives of at-risk youth, is an organization that is especially close to Jones' heart.
"I first got involved with Lifeline in an event called 'Fishing with the Pros.' It's the first organization that I have been associated with that makes it really easy to get involved," said Jones. "Once I started working with Lifeline and began to gain a deeper understanding about what they are doing, I realized that they weren't just throwing money at a cause, they were reaching children by actually acting and doing something to help. Lifeline has truly changed the lives of these children who, without the help of this organization, would have little hope."
The money generated by both Yamaha Marine Group and Jones this year will go to the addition of a new Lifeline campus, complete with alternative school and five new residential wings.
"Some of these kids can't go home. With the new facility, every child will have their own room specifically designed to meet their needs and prepare them for independent living," said Mark Terrell, CEO of Lifeline. "It's a proven fact that 75 percent of men and women currently incarcerated are from a dysfunctional family, and that rate isn't dropping fast enough. We're here to do everything we can to make that statistic obsolete and we greatly appreciate the help from Alton and from our friends at Yamaha."
Last year alone Lifeline served over seven thousand high-risk children and plans on assisting another nine thousand this year. One of the organization's main goals is not just to change the situation these children are in, but to also make a lasting difference in their lives. Lifeline provides safe, secure environment for children who may be living in compromising situations. Through their Home Base Service, Lifeline also goes into the homes of these children to help educate their parents on ways on improve their lives. For more information about Lifeline or to get involved, please visit http://www.lifelineyouth.org/.
Yamaha Marine products are marketed throughout the United States and around the world. Yamaha Marine Group, based in Kennesaw, Ga., supports its 2,200 U.S. dealers and OEM partners with marketing, training and parts for Yamaha's full line of products and strives to
be the industry leader in reliability, technology and customer service. Yamaha Marine is the only outboard company to have earned NMMA(R)'s C.S.I. Customer Satisfaction Index award every year since its inception. Visit www.yamahaoutboards.com. |
