Fishing for Dollars

 

But when he and his wife, Alicia, learned in 2004 that their oldest daughter, Taylor, had Crohn’s disease, a digestive condition that affects more than 1 million people in the United States, the Bilzin Sumberg trial attorney put that passion to good use. And what was once called “The All-Guys Fishing Tournament” became the Keymorada Invitational Fly-Spin Tournament.

 

Widom decided to hold the benefit in May — which he calls “prime time for fishing in the Florida Keys.” He limited the two-day tournament to 60 (now raised to 65) participants, but to involve those fishermen and women in the fundraising. “Most of the time when you fish a tournament, there’s an $800 registration fee. We don’t charge a registration fee,” Widom says. “Instead, we use the 60 participants to help sell tickets [for the benefit drawing].”

 

His strategy has paid off — along with donations from 65 law firms, cash sponsors and an online auction, the event reeled in more than $152,000 in its first year, 2005, easily shattering the original goal of $35,000. At press time, the 2006 tournament had already exceeded its goal of $200,000 to benefit the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America.

 

Despite the rigors of organizing the tournament, Widom still finds time during the event to fish with his family, including Taylor, who has taken a keen interest in her father’s hobby. “It’s been great to help my daughter and help others,” Widom says, “while doing something I really love with people I really love.”