Beaumont children's Museum and Indorama Ventures team up

The Beaumont Children’s Museum (BCM) announced March 9 that it has partnered with Indorama Ventures – Port Neches Operations to host the inaugural Fish-O-Rama Fishing Tournament on Saturday, July 30, at Port Neches Park, 601 Grigsby Ave. in Port Neches.

This event is “an exciting addition to both organizations’ community calendars,” BCM stated. Fish-O-Rama will bring an opportunity for the community to join the two organizations in a fishing tournament for families, friends, coworkers and fishing enthusiasts to raise funds to enhance programs for recycling and S.T.E.A.M. education in Southeast Texas school districts.

The fishing tournament will welcome tournament teams of up to three members per team. Team entry will be $300 per group and registration will open online on Sunday, May 1 at Fishorama.net. The tournament begins at 6 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, and will include four different category options to claim for possible heaviest stringers: bass, trout, redfish and flounder. Teams will be able to claim two of the four categories at weigh-in from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to allow for multiple winning teams. Winning Teams will be awarded for the 1st through 4th heaviest stringers in each category for payouts totaling $20,000.

Not only will fishing teams and families enjoy Saturday’s tournament, but they can also attend an entertaining evening at the Captain’s Dinner the night before on Friday, July 29, at the Beaumont Civic Center. The Captain’s Dinner will include Cajun flavors from a Southeast Texas favorite, Courville’s Catering, raffle items and auction packages, plus a hopping stage of excitement with the one and only, Curse and the Cure. One member from each fishing team will be required to attend the Captain’s Banquet; however, all team members and families are encouraged to attend.

Indorama and BCM request community members, organizations and businesses join them in this year’s fishing tournament with a fishing team or as a sponsor. Sponsorship levels range from $1,000 all the way up to $25,000 and “are loaded with many benefits for the sponsor,” describes BCM, including fishing teams, recognition, visibility at the event and much more. Both organizations are “thrilled” to welcome groups to join them in this effort to raise funds that will be put back into the community where members’ families and businesses are located. Interested parties can learn more about sponsorship and teams at Fishorama.net.

BCM says it is thankful for its new partnership with Indorama Ventures and looks forward for what’s to come.

Amanda Yarbrough, Executive Director of the children’s museum, remarked, “We are thrilled to be partnering with an organization whose philanthropic goals aligns with our mission and vision.  Why not raise money through a fishing tournament here in Southeast Texas where one of our main natural resources in our community in the Neches River. We look forward to the inaugural Fish-O-Rama Fishing tournament and working with Indorama Ventures to apply the dollars raised to enhancing S.T.E.A.M. education and recycling programs in our Region 5 schools.”

Kim Hoyt, Indorama Ventures Port Neches Operations Site Manager, also expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “Indorama is excited to partner with the Beaumont Children’s Museum for our inaugural Fish-O-Rama Fishing Tournament.  We have common goals to serve the communities of Southeast Texas and know that the money raised from this event will ultimately touch so many lives.  We are also excited to work with the City of Port Neches.  Being able to hold the tournament at Port Neches Park will be a great opportunity for so many people and especially kids to fish a tournament close to home.

“Our site has supported STEAM education for many years, and we have several plans to expand our efforts and reach even more students.  As a corporate member of our community, I feel we have a responsibility to give back especially in areas where we can develop talent for the future.  I am looking forward to our inaugural Fish-O-Rama tournament being a big success and something the area looks forward to in the future.”

Indorama Ventures – Port Neches Operations is a local chemical company that believes that “sustainability should exhibit awareness of how all things are connected and make well-considered choices for the greater good of all,” the company describes. “Indorama’s mission is to facilitate methods to make recycling more convenient in our schools and community. S.T.E.A.M. education is also a natural fit for Indorama because current and future success depends on the availability of top talent in these fields. We are helping to close the skills gap, inspiring future leaders, position local youth for career success, and ensure a quality talent pool for our industry. We feel there is great opportunity to impact this area through our continued work with school districts to educate and train teachers and students through S.T.E.A.M. focused learning and curriculum.”

The Beaumont Children’s Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and hands-on museum that believes in learning through play. Its exhibits are carefully selected to promote S.T.E.A.M.-focused learning (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math). Its mission is “to ignite the growth and relationships of children, families, and communities through interactive learning and play.”

According to BCM, “Our vision focus is to encourage and inspire children to think for themselves, confidently ask questions, question answers, and understand the world around them.”

For additional information, contact Yarbrough of BCM at (409) 347-7919 or by email at Amanda@beaumontchildrensmuseum.org, or contact Jodi Green from Indorama Ventures - Port Neches Operations at (409) 723-3362 or by email at jodi.green@us.indorama.net.