JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Chip Davis is combining his two passions - family and fishing.
He created the Flounder Pounder Fishing Tournament, a fundraiser for the Jacksonville School for Autism and his 14-year-old son Tyler.
"We just have to make a better future for him and that's why I do it," he said.
Tyler was diagnosed with autism 11 years ago and Davis wanted to make sure he had the resources to succeed in school.
Tyler is enrolled at JSA and Davis wanted to give back to the school so he started the tournament, now in its 10th year, reeling in $350,000 for the school - and with that - more awareness for autism.
"We did the first one in six weeks and it raised $17,000 and every year now it's grown and it's grown because autism is an epidemic," Davis said.
His goal this year is $100,000. He says he's confident he will make that goal, not for him, but for the school which uses the money for various programs.
"Without that funding, we would not be a significant program that we are today," JSA Executive Director Michelle Dunham said.
This week, Davis got some fundraising help from Jacksonville Beach city councilman Cory Nichols who donated his $3,000 stipend to the tournament.
"When you see the word Flounder Pounder, it is a fishing tournament but it's also a cause," Davis said.
If you would like to learn more about the tournament, click here.
For more information on the Jacksonville School for Autism, click here.