Founded in 2010 on Clearwater Beach, Reach & Teach Ministry, Inc. (Wishing & Fishing) achieved 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in June 2012. Headquartered in Palm Bay, FL, with service locations in Clearwater, FL, Washington, NC, and Palm Bay, FL, our journey began with a deeply personal experience: our daughter's cancer diagnosis in 2010 highlighted the profound impact of water-based healing on her emotional well-being. Inspired to give back to the cancer community, we have since expanded our mission to bring joy and laughter into the lives of families facing hardship.
Over the past 14 years, Wishing & Fishing has grown significantly, extending support to:
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Children with Cancer
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Kids with Special Needs
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Veterans & First Responders
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Disabled Children
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Grieving Families
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Adults & Kids with Autism
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Foster Kids
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Teens in Peril
Our services are provided free of charge to qualifying individuals and their families, made possible by the generosity of individuals, corporate sponsors, and financial grants. We embrace diversity and do not discriminate based on religion, color, race, age, sexual orientation, or economic status.
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In addition to our core fishing and wildlife educational outings for children and families in adversity, we actively engage in community outreach throughout Brevard County. This includes distributing food to the hungry, assisting widows with household repairs and chores, maintaining neighborhood landscapes, and offering emotional support and counseling.
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At Wishing & Fishing, we take pride in our mission to bring love and joy to hurting families, one family at a time. Thank you for considering our request.
Warm regards,
Pastor Tommy Cook
President / Founder
Wishing & Fishing
THE EARLY DAYS
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Pastor Tommy Cook
Founder and Leadership
In 2008, Tommy began “Reach and Preach on the Beach", a ministry later to be incorporated as Reach and Teach Ministry, Inc., and certified a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization. Pastor Tommy has been heard on the radio, has made several appearances on The Christian Television Network, and has been asked to speak at a variety of venues throughout Florida. He is passionate about Fishing and devoting his life to serving Christ.
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Wishing and Fishing was formed after his daughter Carly became diagnosed with cancer. After witnessing the treatment of Carly firsthand, Tommy and his wife Kel gained a newfound respect for the level of stress and discomfort cancer and diseases like it levied on the patient and their families. They both realized a real need for providing a fun and exciting respite for children and their families. Tommy's love for fishing provided a natural path towards the development and launch of "Wishing and Fishing", a permanent project within the Reach and Teach Ministry Charter.
We all appreciate the contribution Pastor Tommy and his wife Kel have had on Wishing and Fishing and we encourage you to support this wonderful ministry in caring for those who need it the most, the children.
Steve Thornton
Volunteer Operational Support
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Steve is a seasoned technology and business professional currently serving as the Executive Director at the Hawthorne Cancer Foundation in Virginia. In this capacity, Steve skillfully oversees and optimizes the operational functions that are vital to the organization's mission.
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Steve also shares his expertise with Wishing and Fishing, where he plays a key role in developing and maintaining the website, and actively volunteers when in Florida. He is passionately committed to creating uplifting experiences, especially for children battling cancer who face long and challenging treatment regimens. Together as a team, we are dedicated to fostering creativity in providing enjoyable experiences for all program participants. Our top priority is ensuring a safe and responsible environment where having fun is central.
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LEADERSHIP
Pastor Tommy Cook
Our Beautiful New Boat