LiUNA Local 773 Introduces Next Generation to Unions and Fishing
Around 100 youth anglers participated in the third annual Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) and Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 773 Take Kids Fishing Day on June 21 at Herrin Park.
Nearly 20 volunteers from LiUNA Local 773 and the surrounding community helped assemble rods and reels, bait hooks, walk the pond to assist participants and cook hot dogs throughout the day. Each youth participant took home a free rod and reel.
One of the 100 kids in attendance at Take Kids Fishing Day catches a fish at Herrin Park in Herrin, Illinois.
“It gets our membership involved, engaged, and informed about what the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance is all about,” said Jerry Womick, LiUNA Local 773 business manager. “When these kids grow up, they might remember that it was the unions and the USA that made this event happen—not some other group. Even if they don’t end up joining the union or going into the trades, hopefully they’ll remember this day—and support us down the road when we have issues that are important to us.”
Womick said many families were surprised to learn the event was free, the lunch was provided, and the kids got to keep their fishing rods and reels.
“It’s a great event for our members and their kids and for the kids in the community to participate as well,” he said. “We’ve often found that without our partnership with the USA, some of these kids might not have the opportunity to get out and fish. The fact that they not only get to enjoy the experience but also take a fishing pole home—it’s a double bottom line win for these kids.”
Union volunteers prepare lunch at the 2025 LiUNA Local 773 Take Kids Fishing Day at Herrin Park. Nearly 20 volunteers from LiUNA Local 773 and the community helped introduce local youths and families to fishing.
The event was part of the USA’s Work Boots on the Ground program, which unites union members to volunteer their time to projects and events that help improve public access to and opportunities in the outdoors.
LiUNA Local 773’s involvement with the USA also includes past efforts to expand recreational opportunities at North Marcum Recreation Area on Rend Lake near Benton, Illinois. Read about the 2019 project here.
As Take Kids Fishing Day continues to grow each year in Herrin, Womick hopes it will continue to receive positive feedback from both the community and union volunteers.
“Volunteering at events like this is simply the right thing to do, it engages us with the community and it helps us partner with organizations like the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance,” he said. “It also shows our members the value that local unions and the unions as a whole have. If other groups aren’t doing this, they’re missing out on a great opportunity to engage with their membership.”
View photos from the 2025 LiUNA Local 773 Take Kids Fishing Day
