Gone Fishin’ for a Good Cause

reprint from  https://www.hometownsource.com/sun_patriot/Al Lohman al.lohman@ecm-inc.com

You might be passionate about ice fishing, but 24 hours straight?

That’s what Cory Glieden did on Lake Waconia one Friday earlier this month – he ice fished around the clock. The goal was to catch as many fish as possible in a 24-hour period to raise money for The JP4 Foundation. 

Glieden is actually more passionate about baseball than ice fishing and the aim of The JP4 Foundation is to provide kids the opportunity to learn life lessons through the game of baseball. The organization holds youth baseball camps that are free to all kids, helps pay for baseball lessons and fees for players who can’t afford it, and stages baseball games that are more easily accessible to the handicapped and disabled – unlike a larger venue like Target Field. The organization also has a community service arm that connects players with volunteer opportunities throughout the Twin Cities.Community service and learning projects, coupled with baseball as a vehicle to “teach and instill rich life lessons,” empower youth and young adults with the tools they need to become good citizens and future leaders, according to organization founder Adam Barta.

Glieden, who played in two college world series while attending Mankato State, is an intern with The JP4 Foundation. A 2008 Chaska High School graduate now living in Eden Prairie, Glieden also coached baseball with Augustana College.
The idea behind the overnight fishing outing, he said, was to get supporters to donate anywhere from a penny to $100 to the foundation for every fish Glieden caught.

During the 24-hour period he hooked – and released – 116 fish that reeled in about $5,500 in donations.Sunfish were biting early in the day, Glieden said. A muskie also visited the hole. Glieden could see it through the cold, clear water, but it never latched on. Overnight, crappies were biting, which surprised him and helped pass the time, he said.

Glieden fished largely by himself, but welcomed a few visitors to the family ice house that was rolled out about 200 yards offshore from In Towne Marina.

“That really helped keep me awake,” he said.

Glieden also was joined online via a live feed on Periscope by viewers from as far away as Russia and Japan.

“Some didn’t know what ice fishing was and posted questions like why are you doing it,” Glieden said.

When they found out, a few even made donations themselves.