A Manorville man who fixes up fishing rods and gives them to kids was flown to New York City to appear Wednesday on NBC's “Today” show and receive his $50,000 award as the winner of its “Small Acts, Big Impacts” contest.

Dale Ortmann, 39, who was nominated by his wife, Shannon, 33, was among more than 600 considered for the award. He didn't know he won until he was handed the check during the morning's live broadcast in Rockefeller Plaza.

“I was flabbergasted, for sure,” Ortmann said in a phone call from New York. “I was at total loss for words.”

Shannon, too, was shocked by the prize. She was thrilled when Today show host Tamara Hall presented them with a crate of children's life vests. She had no idea what else was in store.

“We were excited about the life vests. We thought that was so sweet. I was just getting ready to hug her when they said ‘wait, there's more,' and presented us with the $50,000,” she said.

The Ortmanns are brainstorming ways to use the money to help kids get hooked on fishing. They hope to put some toward more fishing equipment and invest the rest.

“When they gave us the check, I just kept thinking, oh my God, we're going to be able to help so many more kids. We're not going to have to turn any away,” Shannon said.

Ortmann started giving fishing poles away in March when Shannon's grandfather left the couple fishing poles after he died. Much of what Ortmann now gives away is donated to him in disrepair, and he uses his own money to fix the equipment before handing it out to children.

Besides the poles, Ortmann gives away tackle boxes and other equipment and offers kids lessons in fishing and water safety.

“We started out with 10 extra fishing rods, and we gave away 328 already,” Shannon said.

The couple lives on less than $800 a month, and both have medical issues that impact their ability to work. Ortmann lost his vision in one eye to cancer several years ago, and Shannon struggles with problems with bones in her feet.

The fact that the couple have been able to help so many others despite their own personal challenges is what made an impression during the judging of the contest, Today producer Michele Leone said.

“Dale is so giving of himself,” Leone said. “Even though he has his own struggles, he was still doing that, which we thought was a big deal.”

When “Today” told them they were in the running for the prize and may have to go to New York, the couple did not know how they would even pay for a meal in the city, let alone the trip.

“I didn't think I could afford to come up,” Ortmann said. “And now, I don't want to go home. They went out of their way to make us really comfortable.”

“Today” picked up the tab for their three-day, two-night stay and included gift certificates, a ride from the airport and a hotel room. Even during the broadcast, the couple could hardly believe the whirlwind turn of events.

“I looked over at my husband, then looked at the camera guy and thought I must be dreaming,” Shannon said. “I had to pinch myself to realize we were actually there.”

Julie E. Martin is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-543-1303, ext. 1315, or jmartin@tribweb.com.

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