Tri-Cities Take Kids Fishing Day Brings Together Building Trades and Community

BURBANK, Wash. — The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA), Tri-Cities Area building & construction trades and Walla Walla District US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) once again joined forces to host the Tri-Cities Take Kids Fishing Day on April 26 at Hood Park.

The second annual event introduced fishing to 185 youths and 341 total participants. Every youth took home a free rod and reel to keep pursuing fishing after the event.

The 2025 event built on the success of the 2024 Inaugural Tri-Cities Take Kids Fishing Day. Registration for the event was filled up by both new and returning participants almost three-and-a-half-weeks before, according to Travis Swayze, the event leader and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 112 business manager.

“There were a lot more bodies and more fish caught,” he said. “While it’s always great to take 1-2 kids out fishing, these types of projects are awesome when you put 180 people on the water. We capture a bigger audience and get our name out there.”

Including Swayze, 20 union volunteers combined for over 300 volunteer hours assisting families with baiting, casting and reeling in fish. Volunteers included members of the Tri-Cities Area union building & construction trades, IBEW Local 112, Laborers Local 737, Carpenters Local 59, Painters Local 427, Laborers Local 348 and Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ (OPCMIA) Local 633.

Swayze is very thankful for all the volunteers.

“At the end of the day, nobody has to be involved,” he said. “People do it on their own accord, they don’t do it because it’s their job, I don’t force my people, I ask them, and they want to come out and be a part of it. It takes everybody to make this happen.”

Sam Phipps, USA Director of Conservation Programs, was proud to be a part of this event.

“The day was a success on all fronts,” Phipps said. “After last year’s impressive turnout, we had another strong showing of families who came out to enjoy a day of fishing at Hood Park. This event does not happen without the support from Walla Walla District Army Corps of Engineers and our dedicated union volunteers from the Tri-Cities Area building & construction trades. Everyone involved came together to create lasting memories for kids and families and make a positive impact in their community.”

The USA and Walla Walla District USACE share passions of conserving wildlife, providing access, and introducing youths to the outdoors, which helped this event be successful, according to Merissa Stevens, a natural resource specialist with the USCAE Walla Walla District.

“We are there for the public,” Stevens said. “We want the public to come and experience opportunities available to them and a great way for that to happen is to have these partnerships that provide things that we can’t provide like food and fishing poles. Having those little wins or positive things that people can come, do something and not have to worry about the economic portions of their lives.”

Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA): The USA is a union-dedicated, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose members hunt, fish, shoot and volunteer their skills for conservation. The USA is uniting the union community through conservation to preserve North America’s outdoor heritage. For more information, visit www.unionsportsmen.org or connect on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Work Boots on the Ground (WBG): WBG is the USA’s flagship conservation program that brings together union members willing to volunteer their time and expertise to conservation projects that improve and enhance public access to the outdoors, conserve wildlife habitat, restore America’s parks and mentor youth in the outdoors. The USA’s Work Boots on the Ground program works closely with federal, state and local agencies and other conservation groups to provide manpower needed to complete critical projects that may otherwise go undone.