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September - October 2018
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boatingonthehudson.com
$1,500 went to overall winner Kevin Kovacs, for taking first place in the Leo Lasher Catfish Derby
on Saturday July 21, 2018. Kevin was saluted by a standing ovation of clapping hands as he was
awarded the cash for his efforts.
The Leo Lasher United Way of Greene/Columbia Counties Catfish Contest has grown to over 500
people fishing in this eighth annual event.
Held on the Hudson River at a beautiful Catskill Park with a huge free boat ramp, the simple effort
of catching a catfish, weighing it in, and then releasing it had drawn wide applause from all segments
of society.
Brad Poster, Executive Director of Unite Way said, “if we do not focus on children, the outdoors,
parents, then what else is there. This contest brings it all together and I love it!”
“Each year the profits from the Catfish Derby are allocated to local (Columbia and Greene
Counties) non-profits to help fund programs such as after school
programs, food pantries, substance abuse programs, etc.” said
Brad Poster, Director of the United Way of Columbia and Greene
Counties. “It will be weeks until we know the final figures from
this 2018 event. In just the last three years the Catfish Derby has
returned over $40,000.00 to the community by funding over fifty
(50) local programs.”
The Leo
Lasher
United Way
of Greene/
Columbia
Counties
Catfish
Derby
Matt Luvera (left) Greene County Legislator representing the Town and Village
of Catskill who presented the letter from NYS Assemblyman Chris Tague and
three of his students. Brad Poster, Executive Director on right,