The Jose Wejebe Memorial Foundation transforms fishing dreams into reality for those facing life’s toughest challenges. Under the dedicated leadership of executive director Krissy Wejebe – the daughter of the legendary angler and “Spanish Fly” TV host Jose Wejebe – the foundation continues its mission of conservation, education and compassionate outreach. Their recent efforts have particularly focused on foster children and military families, offering them an experience designed to heal, inspire and educate.
June proved to be a particularly active month for the foundation, Wejebe told the Weekly, as 15 foster children, accompanied by one active-duty Green Beret military family, were welcomed aboard for unforgettable trips to the serene waters of the Florida Keys.
These aren’t merely recreational outings; they are carefully-curated journeys that extend far beyond the thrill of the catch.
“Our trips are more than just fishing,” said Wejebe. “We incorporate vital educational experiences, taking participants to visit active coral restoration projects and leading marine research centers. The goal is to ignite a passion for conservation in the next generation, showing them the beauty and fragility of our marine environment and empowering them to become stewards of the ocean.”
The impact of these experiences is often transformative, Wejebe said. She shared powerful anecdotes of foster children who, despite their challenging circumstances, found solace and shared deeply personal stories of overcoming trauma during their time on the water. For these children, often from various foster facilities, the foundation’s trips offer a powerful message of care and hope.
“We want to show these children that people care about them, and that there’s a bright future waiting for them,” Wejebe said. “One of the kids even told us that the trip did two major things for him: The first was that it showed that people actually do care about foster kids, and the second was that perhaps his darkest days were behind him. And that right there is why we do what we do.”
The foundation’s ability to achieve such significant outreach with a lean operation is a testament to its passion and efficiency. With just two primary staff members and a dedicated volunteer board, the Jose Wejebe Memorial Foundation has successfully brought more than 620 individuals out on the water since its inception in April 2012 – the very same month Jose passed away. The total underscores the foundation’s commitment to honoring his enduring legacy, the younger Wejebe said – a legacy built on a profound love for marine life, the joy of fishing and an unwavering dedication to helping others.
Through thoughtfully-designed expeditions, the Jose Wejebe Memorial Foundation is not only providing unique recreational opportunities, but also fostering a crucial connection between vulnerable individuals and the natural world, sowing the seeds for a new generation of informed and compassionate conservationists. Their work serves as a reminder of how a shared passion can create profound positive change, “one fishing dream at a time.”
“Living in the Keys is expensive,” said Wejebe. “To make all of this happen, we rely on the generous community for donations. The foundation is currently running a Christmas in July online auction that will continue until the end of July. The auction serves as a fundraising event where people can purchase donated items while supporting the foundation’s mission. We welcome any and all donations.”
The Jose Wejebe Memorial Foundation’s online auction offers an easy and direct way to support its work. Readers can participate by bidding on unique auction items or by donating items to be featured, with donors highlighted on the foundation’s social media platforms. As a 501(c)(3) organization, all donations are tax-deductible.
For more information, visit www.josewejebefoundation.org. To visit the Christmas in July auction, scan the QR code.
