Kids Fishing ~ C.a.s.t.

[Danoinark]

Saw this and thought I'd pass it along.

Subject: C.A.S.T for Kids This Sunday

C.A.S.T. for Kids Offers Fishing Opportunities for Disabled Children On Table Rock Lake Kids from Camp Barnabas and Developmental Center of the Ozarks, Branson and Blue Eye, Missouri Public Schools To Be Treated To Day Of Fishing

RENTON, WA: The CATCH A SPECIAL THRILL (C.A.S.T.) FOUNDATION is pleased to announce a C.A.S.T. for Kids event to be held Sunday, October 17, 2010 starting at 9:00 am at Big Cedar Lodge on Table Rock Lake near Branson, MO. Event partners are U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Bass Pro Shops, Big Cedar Lodge, Camp Barnabas, Developmental Center of the Ozarks and Ozarks Rivers Heritage Foundation.

C.A.S.T. stands for "Catch A Special Thrill." Dozens of C.A.S.T. volunteers will provide a day of fun and fishing to disabled and disadvantaged children. Each child receives a free rod and reel, C.A.S.T. t-shirt and hat, a tackle box, and tackle to take home. All children, no matter their disability, will have the opportunity to fish the lake from a boat. Local fishing pros committed to taking a C.A.S.T. kid fishing includes - Stacey King, Charlie Campbell, Jack Emmitt and Mike Webb and members of the Table Rock Bassmasters. . Upon return the children, their families and volunteers will be treated to a fish fry provided by Bass Pro Shops. As a special keepsake, the children receive a mounted picture of themselves with their fishing guide to be given out during the award ceremony. The only thing bigger than the smiles on the kids' faces are those on the faces of the C.A.S.T. volunteers at the event.

Since 1991 C.A.S.T. has given special needs children a quality outdoor recreational experience through the sport of fishing. Whether because of financial burdens, physical limitations, transportation problems, or lack of parental expertise these children have very little, if any, access to recreational activities. By matching them up with experienced fishermen from local bass, walleye, trout, and salmon clubs, C.A.S.T. provides them and their parents the opportunity to learn fishing skills, boating safety, and angler ethics.

Many of the children are physically challenged. They come to experience new things and have a day of fun, forgetting about the conditions that challenge them on a daily basis. It's a welcome break from their normal routine of hospital visits, painful treatments, and hours of therapy. But for one day a year, they are challenged to catch fish. "These youth live in a routine and it is difficult to remove them from it," said Jim Owens, cancer survivor and Executive Director of C.A.S.T. "It's terrific to be able to help these kids. They’re asking questions, spirited, full of life and heart, wanting to live." Besides creating a positive experience for youth, C.A.S.T. for Kids furthers its mission by increasing awareness of disabled and disadvantaged children in our communities and teaching appreciation for natural resources. The program is made possible through the cooperation of government agencies and local interest groups. In existence for 20 years, the C.A.S.T. Foundation continues to grow and now holds over 60 events in 26 states. Each year more people volunteer their time, more donors contribute, and more children participate. Since its inception, C.A.S.T. has given over 10,000 special needs children an opportunity to enjoy the sport of fishing and the outdoors.

Media Contacts: Jim Owens, C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation 206-390-0046 ashley@castforkids.org

Greg Oller, Corp of Engineers

417-334-4102 ext. 3006 HYPERLINK "mailto:Allen.G.Oller@USACE.ARMY.MIL" Allen.G.Oller@USACE.ARMY.MIL Larry Whiteley, Bass Pro Shops 417-873-5022 cell 417-689-1118 HYPERLINK "mailto:lwhiteley@basspro.com" lwhiteley@basspro.com