In less than two weeks, Safe Harbor Women’s Clinic in Selma is hoping dozens of fishermen will take to the water for one of its biggest fundraisers, a bass tournament.

The clinic, which is a pregnancy resource center that offers ultrasounds as well as many other free services, will host the tournament on Saturday, May 13 from daylight until weigh-in at 3 p.m.

This is the fifth year for the tournament. It’s organized by Steve Craig, who fished in the first one and wanted to make the tournament even bigger and better.

“I simply organize it just because I enjoy fishing. I don’t fish this particular tournament because I do organize it,” Craig said. “But it came about with my enjoyment for fishing tournaments, and I just saw an opportunity to get the community involved and fisherman involved and to raise money for Safe Harbor.”

While the fishermen will be focused on catching the biggest bass, Craig said it is a great opportunity to get the word out about Safe Harbor and the work they do. He said they get spectators involved in the tournament as well by giving out door prizes.

“We try to get the spectators involved in it as well as the fisherman because the whole idea is exposure to Safe Harbor,” he said. “The more exposure they have, then hopefully the more people will want to support it and be a part of it.”

The past four tournaments have helped raise around $40,000, which executive director Jennifer Dobbs said has helped support the work they do.

“If it wasn’t for this we wouldn’t be able to offer our services that are free to the community,” Dobbs said. “This event helps pay for our nurse manager and offer ultrasounds for free for women who are pregnant.”

The center also offers pregnancy testing, options counseling, post abortion counseling, parenting classes and nutrition classes and they are working toward a class for a men’s ministry for new fathers.

“For me personally, it means so much to know … that the community supports us in this, and it means everything to us,” Dobbs said. “We would love everyone to come. The more boaters we have, the more money will go into the ministry and go back into the community.”

The prizes are $3,000 for first place, $1,000 for second, $500 for third, $300 for fourth and $200 for fifth with a big fish pot option of $10.

The prizes are funded by the dozens of businesses that help sponsor the tournament.

Craig said signup sheets have been dropped off at locations all over Dallas County and the surrounding area, including bait and tackle shops as well as others. For more information, call (334) 875-4020.