ASHLEY, LUZERNE COUNTY – An avid outdoorsman, Bob Hess has collected every hunting and fishing license from decades of seasons.
But there is one license in Hess’s collection that is more special than the rest.
And it’s not even his.
In April, Hess took his 6-year-old grandson, Joey Ramagli, fishing for the first time. They went to Lake Frances during the Youth Trout Fishing Day, and Hess bought Joey his very own youth fishing license.
Joey caught three trout and landed plenty of memories that day. Hess and Joey’s mother, Jessica Ramagli, beam with pride when they talk about the youngster catching his first fish, reeling in the line, throwing rocks in the water and simply being a kid in nature.
Joey was born with CHARGE syndrome, a rare birth defect that affects about 1 in every 10,000 people. The disorder affects all systems in Joey’s body, Jessica said, and has resulted in frequent trips to the hospital and various doctors for his brain shunt, hearing, vision and feeding tube.
“He’s medically fragile, so if he even gets a cold he has to go to CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) for a week so he can be watched,” she said. “We had to spend a Christmas in the ICU. He’s been through a lot.”
But Joey has persevered.
He attends kindergarten at the Scranton School for the Deaf and has become pretty proficient with sign language. Joey also likes to be outside in the fresh air and, most of all, he loves to fish.
That’s one reason why the local charity Fishing for a Cause selected Joey and his mother as the recipient family for this year’s holiday donation. The organization, which was founded by Hanover Township resident George Bowers, raises money through a yearly bass tournament fundraiser held at Lake Wallenpaupack. The proceeds, along with additional donations, are used to cheer up children and help those in need during the Christmas season.
On Friday, Bowers and his son, Connor, presented Jessica with a check for $1,350 to help with medical expenses, and they gave Joey a few presents – a fishing pole, tackle box and a colorful poster of all the fish species in Pennsylvania.
The day before, Bowers paid a visit to the Janet Weis Children’s Unit at Geisinger Wyoming Valley to deliver 16 fishing rod and reels to children who are in the hospital during the holidays. It’s a gift-giving tradition that Bowers has been doing for 19 years, with help from sponsors such as Schiel’s Family Markets, Major League Sports Bar, Legends Outdoors, Nimrod Haven Hunting and Fishing, Dallas Sporting Goods, Rinaldi Family Dealerships, Wayne County Bassmasters and District 7 TBF.
“My family all helps out with this and we’re trying to do more,” Bowers said. “We’re very appreciative of all the business sponsors and the bass anglers that participated this year at the tournament. It’s not all about the competition with these guys. They want to give back to the community and use their love of fishing as a way to help someone.”
Just like fishing helps her son find happiness and a connection with something, Jessica said the generosity of Fishing for a Cause helps brighten the holidays for her family.
“It warms my heart that people love and care for Joey,” she said. “With everything he’s been through, acts like this are a dream come true.”
And fishing, Jessica added, has proven to be the perfect outlet for her son to temporarily forget about doctors, hospitals and challenges in life.
The sport has also provided an opportunity for Hess to bond with his grandson, which for him is a dream come true.
“I remember going fishing with my grandfather, and now my grandson has that opportunity with me,” Hess said. “He gets so excited and starts laughing when he feels that tug on the pole.”
And that’s why the fishing license with Joey’s name has a special place in his grandfather’s collection.
- This story originally appeared in The Citizens’ Voice
