Mark Rose, Arkansas Angler, Receives Inaugural Community Service Award
Goodwill Industries International and FLW, the world’s leading tournament fishing organization, presented the inaugural Forrest L. Wood Sportsmanship and Community Leadership Award at the Forrest Wood Cup in Duluth, GA, this past weekend. The cup was sponsored by Walmart, and the award celebrates the five-year partnership between Goodwill® and FLW.
Mark Rose of Marion, AR — one of the anglers competing in the tournament — received the award for exemplifying the ideals of sportsmanship, leadership and community service during 2012 as well as his role as an upstanding member of his community. The award recognizes Rose’s character and his commitment to ethical behavior, selflessness, kindness, conservation efforts and much more, both on and off the water.
“Goodwill is pleased to once again work with FLW during this tournament, and to join in presenting this award celebrating the sportsmanship and community strengthening that Mark Rose has exhibited in his personal and professional life,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “We are hopeful that this award will encourage community members to volunteer their time and resources to influence positive change in their local communities.”
The same values that brought Goodwill and FLW together as partners inspire the high standards of this award. By recognizing Rose as an outstanding athlete and individual who set a high standard with his approach on and off the water, both Goodwill and FLW hope to set the tone for tournament fishing and to pass those values on to its anglers, sponsors, fans, and host communities.
“FLW is honored to have Goodwill as a partner, and to be able to facilitate this award,” said Kathy Fennel, president, FLW Operations Division. “We are proud that the anglers who fish in our tournaments uphold the high standards that this award seeks to recognize, and we hope this acknowledgment will serve as an inspiration for our anglers, sponsors, fans, and host communities to promote the high standards of sportsmanship and community service.”
Applicants for the award had to be registered FLW Tour pro anglers; exhibit profound respect and civility for all competitors, fisheries and staff; demonstrate an ability to accept victory and defeat with dignity and grace; uphold the highest level of humility and integrity; prove a commitment to conservation; and show dedication to community service work and volunteerism.
