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Wellington Releases New Line of Life Jackets
Company will donate a portion of each sale to benefit nation’s fish populations.
by Tom Marshall

Alexandria, Va.—Georgia-based Wellington Leisure Products this week debuted a new line of life jackets adorned with the FishAmerica Foundation logo. The company will donate a portion of each jacket sale to FishAmerica to help fund fisheries restoration and conservation projects in all 50 states.

"We’re very pleased that we can help conserve the nation’s fisheries and we’re ready to support the fine FishAmerica program," said Dan Roberts, Wellington’s executive vice president and member of the FishAmerica Foundation Conservation Projects Committee. "We’re also excited that our life jackets are hitting retail in time for the boating and outdoors season."

The new vests can be purchased at Wal-Mart Stores for $11.96. Child, youth, and adult-sized vests are available in red, orange, and yellow, all with blue lining. In addition to the FishAmerica logo, the slogan "Take a kid fishing" appears on the back of the child and youth vests. Wal-Mart currently is the only major sporting goods retailer selling this particular line of jackets, although Wellington is pursuing partnerships with other major retailers.

On average, Wellington sells more than one million life vests each summer. The company will donate an initial $16,000 of life jacket proceeds to FishAmerica before Sept. 1 of this year. Part of the first donation will be used to fund habitat restoration projects in Arkansas’ Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine this fall. Sporting clubs and conservation organizations across the country may apply for FishAmerica funds at any time.

In the past three years, FishAmerica's projects have raised and released 13 million fish, restored more than 310 miles of shoreline, restored 6,000 acres of wetlands, installed 14 fish ladders, removed 10 dams and culverts that were blocking upstream migration, and built eight family fishing ponds.

"The sale of FishAmerica life jackets will directly enhance the nation’s fish populations and result in a more enjoyable fishing experience for the angler," said Tom Marshall, FishAmerica’s managing director. "Most importantly, their support will bring the joy of fishing to youngsters."

Wellington’s support will help FishAmerica near its goal of funding $1 million in conservation projects in fiscal 2002, Marshall said.

"When the value of the volunteer labor and other local donations is considered, the funds donated by Wellington will produce amazing results at the grassroots level," he said.

FishAmerica Foundation is the conservation and research projects arm of the American Sportfishing Association. In the past 19 years, FishAmerica has helped nearly 700 grassroots organizations enhance fish populations and water quality throughout North America. For more information, visit http://www.fishamerica.org.

Wellington Leisure Products is a privately held company, based in Madison, GA. The company is a leading producer of rope and cordage, life vests and outdoor seasonal products. For more information, visit http://www.wellingtoninc.com.