By Oniska Blevins | The Selma Times-Journal

Local residents will fish for the grand prize Saturday, May 12 at Safe Harbor’s Bass Tournament.

The tournament will start at sunrise and will take place at the Selma City Marina located at Marina Drive

Safe Harbor Women’s Medical Clinic, formerly known as Sav-A-Life, is a crisis pregnancy center that offers resources and classes to pregnant women seeking help or guidance during their pregnancy.

Tournament director Steve Craig said Safe Harbor needs all the financial support it can get due to the organization not receiving any federal or state funding.

“All of their funding comes from local churches, local businesses or individuals willing to give their time, money and efforts to the cause,” Craig said.

The fundraiser has brought the organization a lot of money in the past, and Craig is looking forward to seeing how much it brings in this year.

“Each year it’s gotten better and better,” he said.

Each boat will be judged on the total weight of a maximum of five fish for the tournament. Largemouth, redeye and spotted bass are the only fish that can be entered into the competition for weigh-in at 3 p.m.

The entry fee for the tournament is $100, and first place is guaranteed $3,000.

Boats are still being registered and will be registered until the start of the tournament.

“Big Fish” is a bonus competition, where each boat will weigh one of their five fish, and the fisherman with the fish that weighs the most will win the prize.

The monetary prize for the “Big Fish” competition is determined on how many boats participate the day of the tournament. The entry fee for the tournament with the Big Fish competition included is $110.

Along with monetary prizes, fishermen as well as spectators will have the opportunity to win door prizes donated by community members and businesses.

Safe Harbor executive director Jennifer Dobbs said fundraisers like the bass tournament helps offset the cost of their programs and resources.

“We want to love on these girls, so we try to give them the best,” she said.

Banquet for Life, Baby Bottle Boomerang Campaign and a golf tournament are three other annual fundraisers hosted by the organization to offset the cost of expenses throughout the year.

“I just want to say how thankful we are to our community for their heart for this ministry, for their heart to help people in need here,” Dobbs said.

Free pregnancy testing, options counseling, ultrasounds and “Earn While You Learn” pregnancy classes are some of the resources provided by the organization.

“During the classes they earn points that allow them to get free baby items out of our closet,” she said. “We always give free brand new car seats.”

All classes are free and open to all women that can provide proof of pregnancy.

Monetary donations, in either check or money order form, can be mailed to Safe Harbor Women’s Medical Clinic P.O. Box 865 Selma, Al 36702. For more information contact (334) 875-8900 or visit www.safeharborwmc.org.