Wal-Mart and FLW Outdoors Help Kids Get ``Hooked'' on Fishing; June 1 Event At All Wal-Mart Stores Offers Families Fun Fishing Activities.

Sports Editors & Outdoor/Fishing Writers

BENTONVILLE, Ark.--(BW SportsWire)--May 29, 2002

The excitement of reeling in the "catch of the day" - what better way to spend a relaxing summer day than fishing with your kids? Wal-Mart and FLW Outdoors want to help kids and their parents share the joy and passion of fishing through the fifth annual "Take a Kid Fishing" event at all Wal-Mart stores across the country June 1.

Teaching children to fish can provide them with a lifetime of enjoyment and "Take a Kid Fishing" is designed to help parents show their children the basics of fishing. This event kicks off National Fishing Week, June 1-8, and features a variety of fishing activities for children and their families including interactive games, educational opportunities, "goodie bags" and a scavenger hunt.

"Through Wal-Mart's `Take a Kid Fishing' event, parents can introduce their children to an activity that the entire family can enjoy," said Doug McMillon, senior vice president and general merchandise manager for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. "It's a great way to spend time with children, teach the sport of fishing and possibly spark a passion in a new generation of anglers."

This year, FLW Outdoors has partnered with Wal-Mart for "Take a Kid Fishing." Other sponsors include Abu Garcia, Act II/Jiffy Pop, ALPO Pet Foods, Berkley, Castrol, Energizer, EverStart Batteries, Frito-Lay, Fujifilm, Kellogg's, Pepsi, Shakespeare, Snickers, Stanley Tools, Water Works Wonders, Wellington and Zebco. All of these corporations have experienced first-hand the value of an association with fishing through their involvement with "Take a Kid Fishing" and FLW Outdoor tournaments.

"Fishing is a sport that crosses generational and demographic lines," said Christine Creed, vice president of marketing and sales, FLW Outdoors. "With 55 million fishing licenses sold in the U.S. each year to people whose demographic makeup closely matches that of the Wal-Mart customer, it shouldn't be a surprise that many other companies have gotten involved with Take a Kid Fishing."

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates more than 2,740 discount stores, Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets, and more than 500 SAM'S CLUBS in the United States. Last year Wal-Mart associates raised and contributed $196 million to support communities and local non-profit organizations. More information about Wal-Mart can be located on-line at www.walmartstores.com and www.walmart.com. And more information about Wal-Mart's Good.Works. community involvement is available online at www.walmartfoundation.org.

FLW Outdoors will operate 170 tournaments in 2002 through the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, EverStart Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail, Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit and Ranger M1. The company will award anglers up to $22 million this season.

More information about Take a Kid Fishing, Wal-Mart and FLW Outdoors can be located online at www.takeakidfishing.com, www.walmartstores.com, www.walmart.com and www.flwoutdoors.com.