The weekend of August 8th and 9th, a catfish benefit tournament will be held, followed by a fish fry at the Morganville ball field. 

Last year the event was held to raise funds for the organizer, Matt Wright’s family. This year, proceeds will go toward Addie Voelker, an 8-year-old from Palmer who is fighting Synovial Cell Sarcoma, a rare but aggressive form of cancer. 

The daughter of Michael and Kadie Voelker, Addie will turn 9 this September.  

Voelker was diagnosed in early 2025 and has spent much time at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Tennessee, with her parents flying back and forth during rounds of treatment. 

She continues to travel for treatments and has received two treatment surgeries, in addition to radiation, and will need at least one more surgery. 

Voelker’s family will receive $50 per every registered team, plus dinner donations. Anglers may register with up to four people per team; they may fish at the body of water of their choosing. 

There is a three-fish limit, two under 24” and one bigger, including channel, blue, and flathead catfish.

Check-in is August 8th between 5:30 and 6:30 at the Morganville Ball Field, with weigh-ins at 11 am on the 9th at the same location. 

All fish caught will go toward a fish fry held on August 9th at 1 pm. In addition, pulled pork, fries, potato salad, and baked beans will be available for free-will donation. 

The top three fishing teams earn payouts; a side pot for the biggest fish will also be available; participating anglers eat for free.

In preparation for the event, co-organizer Mary Wright wrote to 120 businesses, asking for donations. The event has received multiple high-dollar items, like a Big Bobber cooler and thousands of dollars in brand-name fishing gear, like reels, fishing shirts, lures, poles, tackles boxes, and more. 

Non-fishing prizes were also given, including an autographed baseball, signed by Tim McGraw after he threw a baseball game’s first pitch. 

“I was just floored,” Mary said of the donations, which continue to pour in. “These companies are spending so much money and it’s all name-brand stuff.” 

She said she came home to five large boxes on her porch last week, including two measuring nine-foot. 

Though not an angler herself, Mary said Matt agreed the gear was high-quality. 

“I sat down, and I just had tears in my eyes; I called them to say thank you and they said to let them know if we needed more. It takes a lot for me to have that much emotion.”

Mary said the donated items will be auctioned off, with proceeds going toward the Voelker family. 

For more information on the fishing tournament, contact Matt Wright at 785-632-0055. 

Participants do not need to register in advance.