Shaggy’s wraps up the Summer with 3 successful “Shaggy’s Angler Camps” in a partnership with USM Gulf Coast Research Lab. “We were able to add a third camp this year,” says Shaggy’s Founder Ron Ladner. “We had more kids interested and just wanted to make sure nobody missed out.”
Shaggy’s made a $5,000 annual commitment to partner with the USM Gulf Coast Research Lab, as a sponsor for the “Shaggy’s Angler Camp,” to help with scholarships and other resources. Shaggy’s is the first corporate sponsor in the history of GCRL’s Marine Education Center’s (MEC) summer camps.
Ladner and Rimmer Covington, Jr., co-owners of Shaggy’s Restaurants, also contributed over $10,000 in charters and resources to take 65 kids fishing offshore for the first time.
Covington says, “In addition to our sponsorship, Ron and I thought it would be cool to take the kids offshore for a bigger experience. We can’t take them all on our boat, so Shaggy’s hired charter boats to make sure everyone could go.”
“Our partnership with Shaggy’s increases the number of scholarships we are able to offer and enables us to enhance the camp by adding the offshore fishing component to the five-day camp,” said Chris Snyder, MEC director. “It is refreshing to see Shaggy’s commitment throughout their organization to introduce kids to fishing in the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and for their appreciation and concern for the resource.”
Shaggy’s Restaurants has four locations: Pass Christian Harbor, Gulfport Beach, Biloxi Beach, and Pensacola Beach…and since its inception in 2007, the “Shaggy’s Kids Foundation” has hosted several events that have introduced deserving boys and girls to the sport of fishing and marine life conservation.
“For the past 2 years combined, we have given over 100 kids the experience of catching an offshore fish. There’s nothing like it…watching a kid catch his first big fish,” says Covington, an accomplished offshore fishing captain.
“When you step into our restaurants, you can immediately tell that fishing is a passion for us,” says Ladner. “We started the Shaggy’s Kids Foundation to help introduce kids to the sport of fishing, so this is important to us.”
About Shaggy’s—Shaggy’s concept is open-air, family-friendly, waterfront restaurants, serving fresh gulf seafood dishes, burgers, sandwiches, cocktails, cold beer, wine and lots of fun since 2007. With over 300 employees, Shaggy’s has four locations: Shaggy’s Pass Harbor, Shaggy’s Biloxi Beach, Shaggy’s Pensacola Beach, and Shaggy’s Gulfport Beach.
Shaggy’s also strives to make a positive impact in the community. The Shaggy’s Kids Foundation focuses on introducing children to fishing and marine life. Shaggy’s was awarded the Governor’s Cup for Community Service and Leadership; was recognized as the “Top Company Giver” by Beach Boulevard magazine; and most recently won the “GIVE” award for the top company in Mississippi displaying community excellence and volunteer work.
By: PRNewswire
