Want to help make a difference by giving back to your community but don't know where to start? Do you love fishing or know someone who does? How about the smell of the salt air, or the sound of seagulls, or the exhilarating feeling of gliding over the royal blue ocean water? Come join us for a fun filled excursion on July 13 and help put a smile on the face of a child with cancer.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties, East Lyme Office is hosting its second annual "Fishing for the Blues" tournament with the 85-foot charter fishing boat Mijoy in Waterford to raise money for The Sunshine Kids charity. Here in Connecticut, the charity works with children being treated at Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford, Yale-New Haven Children's Medical Center in New Haven, and the Pediatric Hematology Oncology Association in Guilford. 

The money raised provides a variety of programs and events, free of charge, for children who are receiving cancer treatments. This event raised over $6,000 for The Sunshine Kids charity last year and enabled two children with cancer, along with their families, to join us for a trip they will never forget. Along with the smiles, laughter, and buckets full of fish, prizes were awarded and the trip concluded with a cake and ice cream celebration.

David Waddington, one of the fathers of a Sunshine Kid, said, "Thank you for having us. It was a blast! We had a lot of fun with all of you. It was so nice to just spend the day together as a family."

Andy McGurer, an agent at Berkshire Hathaway, cultivated the idea last year with Joe Devine, owner of the Mijoy, to create "Let the Sunshine on the Blues." Joe loved the idea and generously donated the fishing boat and the profits from the fishing trip to go directly to The Sunshine Kids charity.

In addition to the involvement by agents of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties, the following sponsors have helped bring this event to fruition: Mijoy 747 Deep Sea Fishing, L&M Hospital, R&W Heating Energy Solutions, R&W Indoor Air Quality, Metrocast, Fast Signs, Carolyn Ann Sportfishing, Ric Frederick – CT Home Mortgage, DW Transport & Leasing, Inc., and The Collector's Coin Shoppe.

A tax deductible $75 donation will enable you to fish and to be a part of the tournament or $35 to sight see and enjoy the day on the boat. For more information or to purchase a ticket in advance for the July 13 trip, which runs from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., please call 860-739-6666 or 860-449-4040.