Smith donates to Knox County's 18th Annual Buddy Bass Fishing Tournament

Janie Slaven, The Times-Tribune, Corbin, Ky.
·1 min read
1

Apr. 9—BARBOURVILLE — Tom "O'Dell" Smith, 86th District State Representative, recently presented Claudia Greenwood, Knox County UNITE Chair, a donation to help sponsor their Knox County UNITE 18th Annual Buddy Bass Fishing Tournament.

The tournament was held at Laurel Lake on Saturday, March 23. The monies raised at this tournament are used for youth prevention programs in Knox County. Rep. Smith believes that UNITE is a great program and wants to support all efforts to keep our youth drug-free.

UNITE is an acronym meaning Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education. It reflects the three-pronged, comprehensive approach deemed necessary to combating substance abuse and misuse. Knox County UNITE mostly focuses on education and prevention.

Funds are used for such programs as "Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs," Upward/UNITE Basketball — Cheerleading, Archery in the Schools, "Shoot Hoops, Not Drugs," Give Me a Reason Drug Testing Kits for parents, and more. Operation UNITE has community coalitions in thirty-three eastern and southeastern Kentucky counties and was begun by US Congressman Hal Rogers.

The local Coalition is grateful to Rep. Smith and many others who helped to sponsor the annual fishing tournament.