2025 Jiggin with George Fishing Celebration

Event Details

Life of Riley is proud to put on our 2nd Annual fishing celebration for the benefit of the up and coming nonprofit, George's Pompe Pals! The fishing tournament will be at Life of Riley Resort on Lake Vermilion near Cook, MN. The tournament includes 4 nights of lodging, 3 days of fishing and meals. Check in is on Thursday August 14, 2025 at 4 PM and ends on Sunday night August 17th. Check out is Monday August 18th. The tournament will include raffles, silent auction and other festivities. Participants can request fishing partners and cabin mates.

Life of Riley Resort has been in operation since 1929. Rock and Lee Gillson became sole owners in 1985 and have raised their 3 children (Josh, Caleb & Sara) at the resort. In 2023, Rock and Lee started the transition into retirement with their sons Josh & Caleb taking over operating duties and in 2024 the boys fully took over ownership of the resort. Meanwhile, Sara ventured into the resort business herself with her husband Ethan by purchasing the Vermilion River Cottages just a few miles way. Along with his wife Shannon, Caleb is now raising 3 boys of his own. Josh and his wife Jessica welcomed George into the family in 2023. 

 George was born with a form of Muscular Dystrophy (MD) called Pompe Disease. Pompe disease is a rare genetic condition that causes muscle weakness that gets worse over time. It can have a serious effect on many of the body's systems. Pompe disease happens because of a mutation in a gene that helps make an enzyme called acid alpha-glucosidase. This enzyme breaks down a type of glucose called glycogen. When the enzyme is not made properly, glycogen builds up in the body's cells. This stops the cells - especially those in the body's muscles, including the heart - from working as they should. 

In the past, many infants with Pompe disease lived only into early childhood. But today those odds are improving. Enzyme replacement therapy can extend the lives of babies with infantile-onset Pompe disease. It also helps people with late-onset disease. Getting care from a team of medical specialists helps many children with Pompe disease live well into adulthood.

The costs for getting baby George from Lake Vermilion to the University of Minnesota twice a month from the resort is quite expensive. Thankfully, the Gillson family is able to manage these costs at this point but many families are not quite as fortunate. The Gillson family is currently setting up a nonprofit where they can assist other families with children similar to George that are struggling getting their child to life saving treatments.

George’s Pompe Pals, alongside the Gillson family, is putting on this fishing celebration for the purpose of raising funds to assist children like George get a chance at living a longer life.

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