Rollie Vallin (right), Dan Sandstrom Walleye Tournament organizer, presents a $14,500 check to, from left, John Jury, United Way 2014 Campaign co-chair; Sue Wilcox, United Way of Portage County Executive Director; Dori Jury, United Way 2014 Campaign co-chair; and Laura Pfeil, United Way of Portage County Community Initiatives Associate. Proceeds from a raffle at the tournament went to United Way’s Learn for Life. (Contributed photo)

For the City-Times

Organizers of the Dan Sandstrom Walleye Tournament raised $14,500 for United Way of Portage County’s Learn for Life at their event Saturday, Aug. 9, on the Wisconsin River in Stevens Point.

The tournament attracted 68 teams competing for $4,710 in prize money. Placing first in the tournament were Matt Lazarski and Seth Rehfeld who took home $1,000 for the win.  They also brought in the largest walleye, which netted them an additional $235. Monetary prizes were also awarded to the top 12 finishers of the tournament.

“The word that comes to mind every year is ‘humbled’ in the way our community is able to support the tournament,” said Rollie Vallin, tournament organizer, who started the event as a tribute to his late brother-in-law, Dan Sandstrom. “Words truly cannot express my appreciation to all the support of local businesses, participants of the tournament, private contributions and volunteers who collectively have helped me make this tournament what it has become and for that I give a huge thank you to everyone. I also cannot forget my driving force, Dan Sandstrom, my brother-in law, whose memory is rekindled every year by having this tournament.”

Moose Lodge was the host site where a Kids’ Casting Contest, tournament results and fundraiser were held. Vallin said more kids than ever participated in the casting contest. “These kids are fishing’s future, so getting them involved at a young age, with the help of some great sponsors, is perfectly fitting to what we are trying to do,” he said.

All monies raised through the raffle were given to Learn for Life, which is a unique collaboration between United Way and the majority of schools in Portage County. The goal of Learn for Life is to increase reading achievement in our community so that children in Portage County are proficient in reading by the time they finish third grade.

Laura Pfeil, United Way of Portage County Community Initiatives Associate, said this donation is especially important because the program is expanding into additional schools in Portage County this school year. “This donation gives the program the ability to help hundreds of children in our area improve their reading skills,” said Pfeil. “We can’t thank Rollie and his family enough for their generosity.”

Pfeil said the program is still looking for additional tutors who can commit to one hour per week during the school day to help students with their reading proficiency. “With the continued expansion of the program, we need volunteers who want to make a difference in the lives of children in our community by volunteering only an hour a week,” she said.

People should contact United Way of Portage County at 715-341-6740 or [email protected] to find out more about the program or sign up at www.volunteersrock.org.