BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — It was a day filled with fun and education for local students as Kiwanis Club of Kern relaunched its “Take a Kid Fishing” event.

The event began in 1989 and stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a welcomed return for a day filled with memories for local children.

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“I love this because it fits with our mission statement, which is to serve the children of the world. And as we do that the kids, they’re so happy, they’re so enthusiastic, and that gives us joy for us in our club,” said Kern Kiwanis Club President Jim Ventura.

The Bakersfield Fire Department also spent time helping students fish and educating them about fire trucks.

“It’s always great to be around kids, helping kids do things some of them have never done before. Seeing their smiles when they were catching fish was great,” said BFD Captain Jason Johnson.

With help from the California Department of Fish and Game, Kiwanis Club of Kern packed an area of Ming Lake with 300 lbs of fish — plenty of fish to go around.

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“This is why we do what we do. It’s for the kids and just to give them a little moment of pleasure, a little bit of fun and a new experience,” said Lt. Governor of Kiwanis Club Division 33 Judy Goad.

Sixteen students from the Vineland School District participated in Tuesday’s fishing event, all of them taking home five fish to clean and cook at home.

Before COVID, this event hosted 50 to 60 students per year, a number Kiwanis Club of Kern aims to return to.

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