Hope on a Boat

09/10/2026

It takes a dedicated crew of caring and very giving people to make Hope on a Boat a reality. From our very giving contributors & sponsors, dedicated volunteers and incredible fishing Captains. We cannot thank y’all enough for your support. When your out in the community and have choices, please support our sponsors, they don’t hesitate to support us. We are heading out this coming Saturday morning for a fun filled morning on the bay. Everyone say a prayer for a safe event, good weather, great fishing and smiling faces.

Our sponsors:
Fairhope Charters
CCA Alabama
The Bousson Family
The Riley Family
The Graves Family
The Coca-Cola Company
Piggly Wiggly
Goose Foundation
Closer to Heaven Drone Services
Genes Beans Ice Cream
The Fairhope Elks Club
McKenzie Seafood
Chad Giddings

We’d like to give “special thanks” to the following friends, family and individuals:

Adam Barker• Chad Bengston• Brian Nolte • Matthew Robertson • Casey Alexander • Justin Frasier • Tanner Matinere • Terry Rohm- The Riley Family • The Bousson Family • The Graves Family • The Steven Smith Family - The Little Family • James Sayre • Karen Jean Horton • Katherine Maitre-Prudhomme - Terri Rosene • Trey Middleton • Jonathan Stringfellow • Dawn Parker • Robert Caleb Wardrop • Brad Simons • Brett Jones • Chris Carrier • Laura Moorhead • Kevin Daniell • Betty Riley • Bettye Sue Hennington • Paula Rigsby • Stillman Knight • Jeremy White • Jason Smith • Zach Smith • Kevin Daniel • Chris Carrier • Travis Reed - Jennifer Robertson • Peeper Walker • Wilhelmina Gregory • Sherri Russel • Harris Stoneworks • Anne Pearson • Evelyn Nowacki • Matthew Lee Caddis • Mary Jo Crabtree • Adam Harmier • The Martinere Family - Heather Houston…

Stay tuned for event pictures to come.

God Bless!

09/09/2026

We are looking forward to seeing y’all! Everyone should have all the details and specifics. Pray for good weather. Hope y’all are as excited as we are?

08/26/2026

Our new logo for this year!

08/07/2026

We are almost there with totally fulfilling our HOPE ON A BOAT Amazon Wish list. We are so close! Hope on a Boat is a fishing event held on Mobile Bay in mid September for individuals with special needs. Each individual will be paired with a professional fishing guide for a day of the water having fun and catching some fish. Some of these kids have never been on a boat or ever had an opportunity like this. We cannot have this event and have it be the success it always has been without the kindness and generosity of all the individuals that support this amazing event. We just have a few more items left to fulfill the needs. Just some small price items. So, if you have the ability or a ton of Amazon Points, click the link below and help us finalize things. Your purchased items will ship directly to us so it’s easy. We cannot express our gratitude and thanks enough to all the individuals that have and have in the past supported this event. We cannot do it without y’all and 100% of your support goes towards the event. Everyone supporting via Amazon will be recognized as a supporter at the event and on our banners. THANK Y’ALL!
Check out the Amazon Gift List here:
https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2G899SWW012E1?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_ggr-subnav-share_F7JV82WDF7EXCT9FEYTA&language=en-US

07/27/2026

We are in need of a few more Captains to help with Hope on a Boat. Sept 12. If you can help please call Lyons Bousson 251-583-8681.

06/24/2026

We have almost met our goal. Almost! We still need just a little more support. As you know, this will be our biggest year yet for Hope On A Boat with 25 participants and a new location. We started early and are probably 2/3 of the way there in fulfilling our needs. We are starting to wind down to the event and are a little over 2 months away. We still need to finish up on our “registry list” of items we need to make the event the success it always has been. We’ve made it easy to give by using our Amazon Registry to purchase items we need. It’s simple, the items are listed and the amounts needed too. You will see if an item has been totally fulfilled also. Purchase whichever items your able too and they will be shipped directly to us. You will be recognized as a contributor to the event on our event banners. We take pride in getting 100% of our needed items donated by friends, the local fishing Comminity, family and other organizations that donate to such causes. We appreciate the continued support of this one of a kind event that allows disabled individuals the opportunity to spend the day on Mobile Bay fishing with a professional fishing guide. Some have never had the chance to fish from a boat and enjoy the event more than you can ever imagine. We live in such a wonderful community and it shows by the support we continually receive for Hope on a Boat. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. Lastly, if you know anyone you or groups that may be interested in supporting the event to “share” this post. Thank you in advance! Amazon registry can be found here:
Check out this Gift List I just created. https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2G899SWW012E1?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_ggr-subnav-share_ZV9GTV7V61VH0QQPHN4G&language=en-US

04/03/2026

The OBA Community website featured our event. Check it out!

https://www.obawebsite.com/special-needs-fishing-event-at-weeks-bay-aims-for-biggest-year-yet?fbclid=IwdGRleAQ8w3BleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe5cEV1-z3o2cJyMtjU9ST--lUItjaonj0IB9-7wA01fTWxuZSMFZHMYEv-bo_aem_iestH1kyx98eKWTHL3jsaA

Hope On A Boat is returning for its fourth year, and organizers say the 2026 event will be the largest in the program's history. The annual event pairs people with special needs with professional fishing guides for a full day on the water. This year's event will be held at Weeks Bay, Alabama, on Sat...

03/22/2026

Hope on a Boat was created 4 years ago while three friends were on a fishing trip with Fairhope Charters. The thought was to get those with “special needs” out on Mobile Bay for a day of fishing and fun. Some of these participants have never had the opportunity to do so and that’s why we created this awesome event. A chance for those to enjoy this beautiful Bay we have in our backyards while being guided by a professional guide to do a little fishing and hopefully catch some fish they never have before. Hope on a Boat is scheduled for September 12th of this year and we are getting an early start due to the fact that this will be our biggest event yet. We are planning on 25 fishermen this year, which will be a record. We have outgrown the walls and canals of Fairhope Charters and will be having this years event at the Weeks Bay Boat launch and events center. It should be easier for everyone involved and participating. We continue to make this event happen on 100% donations and take pride in doing so. This event is such a wonderful, heartwarming and touching event that we really hope everyone won’t hesitate to support. As is usually the case the life jackets are the most costly of our items. We are going to use a belt system, self inflating, coast guard approved system this year that should be more comfortable. We have created an Amazon Registry that you can find at the link below. Many in the past have used their Amazon points, which most of us have a ton of, to purchase items. All items will ship directly to us. Put your name in the gift notes so we know who has graciously sent us what’s needed. We cannot have this event or make it the success we have, without generous individuals like ourselves. If you know anyone that you think would like to support us please, feel free to send info to them including the fishing community, local friend, family and loved ones. If you know any younger people with special needs that may want to attend, please let us know at anytime. If you have any questions, DM us at our page (Hope on a Boat). Amazon registry is below. We are really looking forward to this years event. Thanks y’all!Hope on a Boat Registry
https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2G899SWW012E1?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_ggr-subnav-share_45BZD067QMZEJKDWPGJ9&language=en-US

03/05/2026

Updated our logo for this year.

03/03/2026

CORRECTION: We had the date wrong! September 12th is the correct date.

We are super excited to announce this years “Hope on a Boat” will be September 12th, 2026 from 6AM - 2PM. Due to the growth of our event we will be having this years event at the Weeks Bay Resource Center & Boat Launch to allow more room for boats and the event. Reminder, this is an event dedicated to those wth special needs. If you know someone or would like to be considered to be an attendee for the event please comment below and we will be in touch. Thanks in advance….