CAMERON, S.C. – Many people enjoy the different forms of water recreation South Carolina has to offer, and most of us take our easy access to the state’s lakes and waterways for granted. For many children with debilitating or chronic diseases, however, getting to take a simple boat ride can seem as unattainable as a cure for their conditions.

However, a Cameron-based foundation is doing its part to reach out to these children all across the state.

Since its inception three years ago, the JymSu Foundation, staffed only by founders Jim and Susan Langston of Cameron and a host of statewide volunteers, has provided more than 31 lake day trips to children with such conditions as cancer, cystic fibrosis, or who are wheelchair bound. Most of the participants have never been on a boat or been fishing before.

Jim Langston, a professional fisherman for 11 years with Pepsi before starting his own fishing lure company and the foundation three years ago, also introduces the kids to fishing during the trips. The idea for the JymSu Foundation arose out of Langston’s charitable activities as a member of the Pepsi pro fishing team. Langston says he and the other pros were required to spend a certain number of hours each year working with the team’s children’s charities.

“Our major program involves giving kids the opportunity to go out on the lake,” Langston said. “All the trips, which are taken on the foundation’s pontoon boat, are paid for by the foundation and various sponsors. It enables the kids and their families to get out of the house for the day and experience something new. Many times the parents can’t afford to do this with the child because of the cost associated with their care.”

“The program operates statewide,” he added, “so the kids don’t come to us here. Because they are sick, we go to the closest lake to their home. And, they have the choice of where they would like to go.”

Because of the many contacts Langston cultivated around South Carolina during his years as a pro fisherman, the foundation was able to reach out to special needs children through different avenues.

“We got involved with various events across the state to introduce the program,” Langston said.

“We called people up and said, ‘Hey, this is what we’re doing, so help us find some children and help make this work.’ We worked through children’s hospitals in Greenville, Charleston and Columbia that have plenty of kids that are sick.”

As part of its overall mission, the foundation also provides holiday gifts, tickets to local events, visits to hospitals, emergency shelters and children’s homes with clothing and other needed items for special needs children.

One of the more popular JymSu Foundation activities has been the after-school fishing programs for middle and high school kids in Summerville, Greenville, Columbia and Rock Hill. The school programs meet one day a week for six weeks, teaching students the scientific and mathematical components of fishing.

“Starting the after-school fishing programs was the idea of a gentleman in Summerville,” Langston said. “It blended well with the 15-16 public speaking events I do each year, and it just took off. We’ve had a number of letters and testimonials from parents and kids saying how much they learned and how the after-school program has helped improve their studies.”

Cameron Police Chief Chris Hale, who has also worked part-time as a paramedic with Calhoun County EMS for 15 years, has assisted Langston in that capacity during several foundation trips on Lake Marion.

“Jim is a friend of mine, and I use his fishing lure products,” Hale said. “I’ve only been out a couple of times, but it’s just amazing ... how much time he spends with the kids, watching him interact with them and how much concern he exhibits. The only way I can describe it is the tenderness he shows each and every one of them, whether he’s teaching them about fishing or just taking them around the lake. Each trip is totally devoted to the kids and whatever they want to do.”

“These trips have made such an impression on me that anytime I can work it into my schedule, I’ll do it,” Hale added. “It’s just that important. I recommend it to anyone as a volunteer opportunity because it’s a program worth doing.”

Although the foundation raises less than $6,000 each year and is assisted by sponsors like Wal-Mart and the Sportsman’s Warehouse in Columbia, Langston has 36 staffers, who fish on the team sponsored by the business at the pro and amateur level, who also donate their time to foundation activities.

Langston says it is the success of his business that allows him and his wife to actively run the foundation as a board of two. A hundred percent of the money raised goes into providing programs for the foundation, which is registered with the South Carolina Secretary of State’s Office, he said.

“We have been able to compete with multi-million-dollar fishing lure manufacturers because we produce a quality, custom-made product,” Langston said, adding that “170 stores in 11 states now carry our product, with chain stores in Texas and California soon to be added. Recently, we even filled our first order to a store in Hawaii.”

The success of the JymSu Foundation has also led to collaboration with former NASCAR driver Ernie Irvan’s foundation which helps children with brain trauma. The two co-sponsor a team bass tournament on Lake Murray that is entering its second year. The next tournament will be held on Nov. 15.

“We have nine celebrities from other sports participate in teams with B.A.S.S. Elite Series pros, with all the proceeds going to the two foundations,” Langston said. “Last year we were able to pay the $3,100 insurance liability for our pontoon boat for the year. There were 100 teams in last year’s tournament, and this year we are expecting 150-200 teams to participate. The tournament will also be taped for later airing on Fox Sports South.”

Susan Langston says the foundation makes a point to help children when and wherever possible, trying not to limit itself when a need can be met. A year ago the foundation even paid for a grave marker for a Columbia area child whose family could not afford the cost, she said.

“Our goal is to have as many special needs children benefit from our ‘taking kids with special needs for a day on the lake’ program as possible,” she said. “The JymSu Foundation offers unique opportunities to unique children.”

T&D Correspondent Phil Sarata can be reached by e-mail at pmhsarata@aol.com.

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