The C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation: A look ahead for 2023…
A look ahead for 2023…
*95 Events
31 States
*3,800 Children with special needs and their families
*7,600 Volunteers
A Year Full of JOY, CELEBRATING, and FISHING!
The C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation has a lot of momentum as we head into our 32nd season here in 2023. Thanks to our fantastic event coordinators and volunteers, in 2022 we held 79 events across the Nation, the most in our history. That means about 3000 special kids across the Country got to enjoy a day of fishing and celebration at a C.A.S.T. for Kids event last year, how cool is that! Last year, the state of Texas again led the way, hosting 29 C.A.S.T. for Kids events. It was nice to see several events in California come back last year post Covid, and we saw many other new events across America in 2022.
We have new C.A.S.T. for Kids events on tap in several states in 2023, so be sure to keep an eye on our event schedule for opportunities in your area. Notable new pockets of strength include Arkansas, Florida, and the Northeast. C.A.S.T. for Kids event coordinators and volunteers are the folks who make all of these events possible for the kids, so let’s be sure to give them a big “thank you” at events this summer! With all the new events starting up in 2023 across the Country, this year promises to be another record year for C.A.S.T. for Kids. Let’s keep the momentum rolling for the children!
Jay Yelas, Executive Director
A note from the West –
The 2023 C.A.S.T. for Kids season in the western region kicked off Saturday, March 11th at Chuck Ford Lakeside Park in Tucson, Arizona. A first time event, Lakeside was coordinated by Duane Burmeister, who through his dedication and hard work was able to create a day of special memories for families in Southern Arizona.
The lake at the park holds largemouth bass, trout, catfish and bluegill. Conditions were ideal all morning and many participants were able to catch their first ever fish! Volunteers from the Tucson community with a passion for serving their neighbors assisted in every facet of the event and educated the children and their families on how to set up their rods, bait their hook and learn to master casting and hook setting.
Lunch and the award ceremony were enjoyed by all under the warm spring sun. Duane is a natural presenter and made every child and volunteer feel appreciated and celebrated. One particular family that stuck with me brought their daughter who has overcome years of significant medical issues including a terminal heart condition. Her mother was so appreciative they were able to spend that time together as a family and get their minds off the challenges they face daily. That was all made possible by the commitment of each volunteer and Duane’s months of planning.
There was significant interest from volunteers and families to attend the event again next year and possibly start new events in other communities in Arizona. I hope that comes to fruition so more families can experience the thrill of fishing and the overall positivity of each C.A.S.T. for Kids event!
Now that we are approaching peak season here in the western region, I am getting more and more excited to attend each event and meet all you incredible people along the way!
– Ryan Laney, Western Regional Director
A note from Texas –
2023 here in Texas got off to a rousing start on February 25th. The fifth annual C.A.S.T. for Kids Temple, Texas, Miller Park pond event was held, and as always at C.A.S.T. events, amazing moments occurred. This year, our event coordinators have the option of including a gold medal and ribbon to the children in addition to the beautiful photo award plaque we have gifted for more than 30 years.
This proved to be a simply incredible manner to further celebrate the children and their achievements this particular morning. I received texts with photos from parents more than 48 hours post event of their children still proudly wearing the gold medals around their necks. Yet another way in which to show the children how valued and loved they are at each and every event the Foundation and its local area coordinators hold.
Another example of the success of this event is found in a quote from the parent’s survey we received this week. “Thank you, Thank you! For the kindness and patience shown to my son, he had a FANTASTIC day and this makes mom VERY happy. He also suffers with depression and has no family around him so he never gets to do anything like this. I’m always at work and have baby brother to tend to. He has been asking to go fishing but I had no idea where to start, permits etc. This was just fantastic, and I’m blown away by everything that you did for him!!“
Amazing words such as these are the ultimate motivation. Blessings forward everyone.
– Jim Behnken, Texas Regional Director
Your Support Makes a Difference!
Your financial support provides the awesome award plaques and new award medals our participants enjoy, but it does so much more!
Yes, it covers event expenses and operational costs, but it also echoes the voices of the families with children with special needs and shares their joy, perseverance, and positive attitudes.
Your support gives all of us the opportunity to learn from their example of finding joy, never giving up, and loving one another unconditionally.
THANK YOU!
Welcome our new Regional Partners!
Regional Partners are an integral part of accomplishing our mission. At each C.A.S.T. for Kids event, about half of the cost is raised locally in each community. We rely on our Regional Partners to cover the balance of event costs, allowing for more events in more communities each year.
We are excited to welcome Arkansas Farm Bureau Insurance to the C.A.S.T. for Kids family. Because of the successful C.A.S.T. for Kids Greene County event in Paragould, Arkansas, and the great partnership with Texas Farm Bureau Insurance, the AFBI team couldn’t wait to jump in! We look forward to providing more opportunities to children with special needs to go fishing throughout the state.
In the Western Region, we welcome Pacific Seafood as a Regional Partner. The Western Region continues to rebound from the pandemic as more events are being added to our calendar. We are excited for the possibilities that this partnership brings for reaching more children with special needs.
Come fishing with us!
Attend a C.A.S.T. for Kids event in 2023!
We look forward to serving with our tremendous volunteers as we celebrate the amazing children we serve. Our event coordinators and their committees are busy preparing for their best event yet!
Don’t see an event in your area? Email us at [email protected], and let’s talk about how we can bring this experience to your community.
Enriching the lives of children with special needs, supporting families, and strengthening communities through the sport of fishing for 32 years! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
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