C.A.S.T. provided fishsniffer.com a couple of excerpts form articles written about their events:

Lake Mead

On May 15, 1999, in what looked like a sea of white CAST T-shirts, we were all gathered at Hemenway Harbor by 6:00 a.m. for a short meeting and a great breakfast. All efforts were for this and it was finally happening, the excitement was at a level too high to allow description. It resulted in a day that none of us will ever forget. We were allowed to be a part of something done elusively for others, and this gift that we have been given, and cherish, of inward smiles is increased by the knowledge that we did help provide a safe, fun and memorable day for special children and their families, and we are delighted that they allowed us into their lives, if only for one day.

Though the thank yous are ours, the thank you from a very special parent says what CAST for Kids means to the children and their families. It's what it is really all about: "We wanted to take a moment to thank you and the Bureau of Reclamation for hosting the C.A.S.T. for Kids event on Saturday 15 May. Our boys, Chris, 8, and Billy, 7, as well as me and Jack, enjoyed ourselves so much. Our kids have a terminal disease and are very physically handicapped, but only mildly mentally impaired. We have never seen them enjoy anything as much as they did fishing! They were so proud of the trophies they received, too. As parents, it was such a pleasure to forget about the day to day worries and just see our kids having the time of their lives. This was definitely a day none of us will ever forget. Thank you so much again and we hope there will be another event next year!"

The team is already discussing and excited about next years event and we haven't even begun the planning stage. We can be likened to one of the wonderful Nevada Striper Club boaters who said at a meeting held soon after the event. "I now live 1,000 miles from the area, I drove my boat 1,000 miles to be part of this event, and if you had another one scheduled for next week-end, by golly, I'd drive my boat the 1,000 miles just to be part of it." So would most of us! Thanks CAST for Kids!

Coordinated by the CAST Foundation, State BASS Federations, the Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Parks, Job Corps Centers, State Departments of Fish and Game, expert anglers, volunteers, and product sponsors are matched with children from the Shriner's Hospitals, Seattle Children's Hospital, Mountain States Tumor Institute, The Make-A-Wish Foundations, Elks Rehabilitation Center, the Ronald McDonald House, and City Parks & Recreation Special Populations Groups. For many of these children, it is their first opportunity to fish. What a thrill this day is. Seeing the joy on the faces of the children when they catch a fish is a thrill that lasts a lifetime.

National, regional, and local sponsors donate equipment, tackle and supplies for the day. Volunteers from numerous agencies donate their time and energy to organize and support this rewarding day.

The young anglers are educated about boating safety, angler ethics and natural resources like fish and water. During CAST for Kids the children learn a fantastic skill they an use the rest of their lives. Sponsors and volunteers learn a precious lesson about life and giving back to the community.

Navajo Lake State Park
excerpts from The Farmington Daily Times, Out and About Column

Everyone jumped at the chance and pulled out all the stops to make sure the event was a success. Individuals responded to a request for volunteers and a business donated goods - from a bucket of minnows to a pontoon boat for the event. The story of two kids who showed up at Arboles by mistake, but were loaded on a Colorado State Patrol boat and zipped down the lake, was just one example of the kind of effort people went to. The results were worth it. Every kid wore an ear-to-ear smile. A few fish were even caught including a huge crappie the size most anglers can only dream about while camped at Lake Powell. The best part was the excitement and enthusiasm left over after the event was cleaned up and everyone had gone home. Everybody was just as exited about the event more than a day later.

I asked one angler if he would volunteer again next year if it was held and he enthusiastically said, "You Betcha!" Everybody had a story to tell about the kid they took fishing, or the effect the day had on the Kids. After talking to about a dozen volunteers one thing was abundantly clear. The volunteers had just as much fun as the kids. Everybody got something out of the CAST for Kids event.

So the big question remained. Would there be another event next year? The volunteers all said they hoped so. The organizers said, absolutely. Dan Connors, of the BOR, said the Farmington Construction office will again be the lead agency in organizing one next year.

In fact, while it probably won't be next year, the CAST for Kids organization said some places have two events a year, one in the spring and one in the fall. That isn't on the plate for 1999. But it can't be far down the line. If you would like to help or contribute contact:

C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation

Jim Owens
296 SW 43rd Street
Renton, WA 98058

(425) 251-3214

Email jowens@castforkids.org