CLAIBORNE COUNTY, Tenn. — The 40th Annual Middlesboro ROHO Fishing Tournament was held on the first weekend of May this year at the Beach Island Marina and Resort on Norris Lake.

The ROHO Fishing Tournament is the only fundraising event held by the local civic club, which labors to provide services to the children of the community.

Proceeds from the ticket sales are used every year to sponsor a Christmas shopping spree for local underprivileged children — who have been selected as “in need of assistance” by area teachers in order to have gifts at Christmastime.

Children are chosen from 19 different schools — from various counties throughout Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia — and are normally chosen based upon individual need. Most of the children involved come from families with limited financial means.

Last year, the ROHO organization raised nearly $35,000 and sponsored 231 local children — giving each child $150 to spend on clothing and toys at the Middlesboro Wal-Mart.

ROHO Co-Chairman Lawrence Tuck stated that area children can expect another great shopping spree come Christmastime, because the support for this year’s event was simply outstanding.

“The goal this year was to sell 4,000 tickets and it looks as if we sold approximately 4,200,” said Tuck.

ROHO members Eddie Beeler and Jeff Higdon were this year’s top ticket sellers.

Listed below are this year’s tournament winners (by category):

• Large Mouth — First place was awarded to Danny Byrd (5 lbs. 3 oz.), and second place to Donnie Skelton, Sr. (4 lbs. 6 oz.).

• Small Mouth — First place was awarded to Andrew Schneider (2 lbs. 4 oz.), and second place to Katlin Williams (2 lbs. 3 oz.).

• Rock Fish — First place was awarded to Bryan Cockrum (15 lbs. 7 oz.), and second place to Jeri Lynn Howard (15 lbs. 2 oz.).

• Walleye — First place was awarded to Bob Morrow (4 lbs. 4 oz.), and second place to Bob Morrow (3 lbs. 1 oz.).

• Crappie — First place was awarded to Wesley Bundy (1 lb. 4 oz.), and second place to Zachary Bundy (1 lb. 2 oz.).

• Bream/Sunfish/Shellcracker — First place was awarded to Don Cupp (1 lb. 6 oz.), and second place to Lisa Roark (1 lb. 1 oz.).

• Catfish — First place was awarded to Penny Collins (26 lbs. 5 oz.), and second place to Austin White (25 lbs. 6 oz.).

• Carp (under age 16 only) — First place was awarded to McKayla Caldwell (15 lbs. 4 oz.).

For more information relating to ROHO and their community projects, visit their website at www.rohofishing.org. Anyone interested in becoming a member of ROHO can attend a regularly scheduled meeting on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Middlesboro County Club.

Adam Young is a Staff Writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted by e-mail at ayoung@middlesborodailynews.com.