Hope On A Boat is returning for its fourth year, and organizers say the 2026 event will be the largest in the program's history. The annual event pairs people with special needs with professional fishing guides for a full day on the water. This year's event will be held at Weeks Bay, Alabama, on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Organizers are calling on the local community, friends, family, and the fishing community to help make it happen.

The event started from a casual chat at the dock after a morning of fishing on the bay. Co-founder Chris Riley, a Fairhope resident who uses a wheelchair, hunts and fishes often and doesn't let anything slow him down. Co-founder Lyons Bousson, owner of Fairhope Charters, turned to Riley and said, "You get the fishermen, and I'll get the guides." One month later, the first Hope On A Boat event took place with 12 participants.

Everyone involved — guides, participants, and organizers — enjoyed that first event so much that they agreed to make it a tradition, according to Riley. The event has grown each year since, and the 2026 edition is projected to host a record 25 participants. Riley said the consistent growth reflects the generosity of those who have supported the program from the start.

Hope On A Boat is a fully grassroots organization and is not a registered nonprofit. Organizers take pride in accepting only in-kind donations and do not accept monetary contributions. The easiest way to support the event, according to Riley, is through the organization's Amazon Registry at Amazon.com, where supporters can purchase needed items and have them shipped directly to the organization.

The event's main partner is CCA Alabama, which supplies materials and gifts for participants, including a fishing pole for each person to take home. Officers from the Department of Fisheries also join the group annually to share breakfast and give a brief safety talk before everyone heads out on the water. Riley said these partnerships are essential to ensuring the day runs smoothly.

Organizers say they have made a good start toward filling the Amazon wish list, but still have a long way to go before September. They are asking supporters to share the fundraising post as widely as possible to reach more potential donors. Hope On A Boat also encourages the public to follow and like the organization's Facebook page to stay updated on event news.

The event has become a meaningful tradition for everyone involved, from guides who donate their time to participants who spend a day casting lines at Weeks Bay. Riley said each year brings new memories and faces to the water. Those wishing to contribute can find the Amazon Registry through the organization's social media channels.