Official says 2023 HOFNOD drew its best turnout ever
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ELKINS -- A record number of people turned out for the 2023 Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs event at the Phil Gainer Community Center Saturday, an official said.
"We had a great turnout, the best we've ever had for the Hooked on Fishing event," Phil Gainer Community Center Director Chris Lee told The Inter-Mountain. "I know last year we had over 600 people attend the event and we had way more this year. So it's safe to say there were over 1,000 people here this year."
The free event featured $5,000 worth of door prizes being given away, along with activities, games, informational booths, and giveaways, all centered around outdoors activities. Attractions included a climbing wall, a gemstone mine, a fishing pond, a snake exhibit and a birds of prey demonstration from the West Virginia Raptor Rehabilitation Center.
The event also taught the kids in attendance about the dangers of drug and alcohol use. Representatives from the Elkins City Police, Randolph County Sheriff's Office, West Virginia State Police and West Virginia Division of Natural Resources were all present at the event.
"There was a really good crowd this year, the place was full," Randolph County Sheriff Rob Elbon told The Inter-Mountain. "We've always participated in HOFNOD and our department was really active with it again this year.
"We gave away bikes, fishing poles, kayaks and all kinds of other items for kids to win. Our guys really love to interact with the kids," Elbon said. "We had all three of our Prevention Resource Officers there the entire day and the other guys stopped in to see the kids when they weren't busy on calls."
The Randolph County Commision, Elkins Parks and Recreation, and Family Resource Network were the main sponsors of this year's event. Mike Ross Inc., Elkins Coca-Cola, Mountain Valley Bank, Davis Medical Center, Smoke Hole Caverns, Seneca Design, Walmart, Citizens Bank, Elkins Auto and the Delmonte Market also contributed to the event.
Community partners for HOFNOD included: Youth Health Service, Family Resource Center, the Elkins office of the DNR, Jodie Parrack State Farm, Randolph County 4-H Leaders Association, WVU Randolph County Extension Service, WV Prevention Solutions, the Elkins Fire Department, the Elkins Police Department, the WVDNR, the Randolph County Sheriff's Office, USDA Forest Service, Mountain Heart Community Service, the Randolph-Elkins Health Department, Columbo Law, US Cellular, Monongahela National Forest, RRG Behavioral Health, AFNHA, the Laurel Fork Falconer and Professional Care Services.
Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs recently became a non-profit organization. For more information on HOFNOD, contact Owen Peet at the Elkins Parks and Recreation. Peet serves as both the youth development coordinator for the EPRC and as the president or HOFNOD.