Newton County firefighters came together as a family last Saturday, spending a day fishing to raise money for the son of their fallen brother.

Last weekend’s fishing tournament, organized by county Chairman Keith Ellis raised $2,135 for the college fund of 12-year-old Brayden Eavenson, the son of Brad Eavenson, the Newton County firefighter who died in a one-vehicle accident in February.

In addition, the three neighborhood boys who volunteered to sell lemonade at the tournament – Charlie Briggs and Matt and Kevin Gabriel – raised more than $600.

Raymond Pearce, a Newton County Sheriff’s bailiff, gathered more than $1,300 worth of gift certificates to give to fishing tournament participants. Other times were donated by businesses for an auction, including greens fees to The Oaks, donated by Commissioner Nancy Schulz, and a print of a large-mouth bass from Bass Pro Shop, Ellis said this week.

“It was really and truly one of those times, when the firefighters showed that brotherhood and pulled together as a team,” Ellis said, noting about 30 firefighters and their families attended the event.

Brayden Eavenson actually won the big fish contest with a 2.5-pound large-mouth bass.

Ellis said he also had a chance to develop a closer “kinship” with the chairman from Elbert County. Brad Eavenson was a firefighter and EMT in both Newton and Elbert counties.

Todd Teasley, the director of the Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center in Newton County, purchased 40 chicken barbecue lunches to donate to the event.

Ellis also thanked the Lochwolde Homeowners Association, for allowing the tournament to held on the neighborhood’s lake.

For those who want to donate directly to the fund, they can make checks payable to the Brayden Eavenson College Fund and send them to Judy Eavenson, 2754 Hoke Dickerson Road, Elberton, Ga. 30635.

Car show next
Commissioner Lanier Sims will also be donating the proceeds from his annual car show to the fund of Brayden Eavenson.

Sims said the show will take place May 18 on the square; more details will be available later. For more information, email Sims at lsims@co.newton.ga.us.

Ellis said ne and Sims will have a friendly wager with, as of yet, undetermined stakes to see who can raise the most money for the fund.