Last year of Memorial Fishing Tournament after family say their goal has been met

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – Amanda “Mandie” Phillips was a 21-year-old student at Appalachian State University when she was killed in a car crash in 2014.

“Mandie worked at Motts Channel Seafood for many, many years, and after the deaths of Alison and Gene [Long], the owners of Motts Channel Seafood have said they really want to do something. So, they organized this tournament in his honor, so we’ve been doing it for over 5 years now. We have had to cancel it several times now due to hurricanes and pandemics, but every year it is a resounding success. And the support of our sponsors, friends and family in the community, we are very lucky, we are very blessed, ”said Mandie’s twin sister, Allie Reid.

The Long family started the Mandie Phillips Memorial Fishing Tournament in 2016 – they knew it was the right thing to do because Mandie loved to fish. They also started an Appalachian State University endowment fund, offering scholarships to students from New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender County who wish to continue their studies at ASU.

Reid said it is touching to see the community come together each year, knowing his sister’s legacy will live on.

Over $ 30,000 has been raised for the endowment each year during the fishing tournament, but this year is the last time that will happen. “We feel like we’ve invested enough in the endowment to generate a scholarship of 5,000 each year, and that was really the goal,” said Alison Long, owner of Motts Channel Seafood. “This is a testimonial from Mandie. . . it’s not for me, for my family. . . it is a testimony to Mandie, to the family.

After achieving their goal and more, the Long and Phillips families know that the community will continue to support Mandie through this scholarship fund.

“It’s the best feeling in the whole world. I mean, I think when you lose someone your biggest fear is that they’ll be forgotten, and when I look around these events I know she won’t and she won’t. ‘is not. So I’m really happy that his legacy continues through others in this field, ”said Reid.

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