Save Our Native Species Inc.
S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie Fishing Club
(A 501 C (3) not for profit organization)

S.O.N.S. VOLUNTEERS' PICNIC

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 The SONS of Lake Erie Volunteer Appreciation picnic was held at Shade’s Beach on Monday August 3^rd, 2026.  This annual picnic is our way of thanking our hard working volunteers who responded to nearly 50 requests for help at our various events and projects.  

There were about 90 of our volunteers in attendance where they experienced some great picnic food and beverages thanks to the capable hands of SONS director Kevin Lubak who with the help of Team Lubak. Team Lubak was first organized by their Dad an former SONS Pres.,Ron Lubak. Even after their Dad passed away they have continued to carry on the tradition. They always do a great job and for this we offer our whole hearted thanks.

Everyone in attendance was given a new SONS of Lake Erie Hat in commemoration of our 45^th anniversary and the 250^th birthday of the USA.

Chuck Miller organized a door prize raffle with over 40 prizes.

We also held a special raffle for SONS volunteers at the picnic in which they could win a place on a fishing Charter aboard the Waterboc captained by Steve Skrypzak and Tom Mascharka. The winners were Bill Brown, Steve Capela Jr., Ava Lubak and Rich Zamiroski. The charter is scheduled to take place on August 24^th. Weather permitting.

Our volunteers donated over 14,000 volunteer hours working on community events and teaching over 800 kids and their families the art and joys of fishing on over 40 separate occasions since July 1, 2025. Our 5 person permanent hatchery team and 22 part time volunteers also spent another 1252 hours operating and maintaining the operation. They sure earned our recognition.

Each year we are proud to recognize our volunteers who have volunteered at  more than 9 of our activities during the year. 45 of these individuals did just that and were presented with a special gift. In addition this year we awarded a special gift to acknowledge the hundreds of volunteer hours for 3 individuals. This year Ralph Friend, Jack Hartman and Tom Nichols received this recognition.