C.A.S.T. for Kids – Notes from the Western Region
End of the Season by Terry Grafton, 2022 Western Regional Director
Recently I finished my last event to close out the season. It was extra special in the fact that it was hosted on a pond I fished as a little kid where special memories were created and a life-long passion for fishing established.
Due to some recent family developments, my wife and I have decided to close the end of the season with C.A.S.T. for Kids as a Western Regional Director. We will be moving to our childhood home region of Iowa/Illinois (Quad Cities) for the next segment of our journey. When I accepted this role, I told everybody this was my dream job and my forever job. I have experienced more humanity, more joy, more pure life through the kids, their families, and the volunteers we serve than I had in 25+ years of my business career. The experience has deeply impacted me and has left a trail of memories a mile long. For that I am deeply grateful.
An older, wiser man of God once noted as he was talking about life’s journey, that sometimes the Lord calls us into a role for a lifetime and sometimes just for a season. So, standing on that wisdom, I thank all of you for the amazing time I had with the C.A.S.T. for Kids team, the incredible kids, their amazing families, and the dedicated volunteers who continue to inspire me to greater heights. I remain forever grateful and hopeful our paths will cross again downstream.
Until then, God bless all of you in your journey.
Looking Ahead to 2023 in the Western Region
Meet Ryan Laney, Western Regional Director
As a native Oregonian, I grew up enjoying the beautiful Pacific Northwest outdoors. During and after college, I worked seasonally at a fishing lodge in Southeast Alaska before settling back in Oregon to work at a fabrication shop and ultimately join the family beef business.
I have experienced first-hand the power of C.A.S.T. for Kids events and the importance of facilitating meaningful experiences for all children. It never gets old to see the bright smiles of the participants at C.A.S.T. events. Getting to do this work is a true joy.
As the incoming Western Regional Director, I’m very much looking forward to working with our dedicated Volunteer Coordinators to facilitate special days for kids throughout the West. Getting to know volunteers, participants and their communities will be special to me as we strive to further advance long-standing events and cultivate new ones. After 2 years of uncertainty, 2023 will be a new chapter as we work together to return to full force in the region!
Let’s go fishing,
Ryan
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