CAST continues to put smiles on challenged children's faces
By PATTY LENDERMAN Lakecaster Managing Editor

THE ANNUAL Catch A Special Thrill event was held at Ebenezer Park Sept. 22 as children from all areas attended the event, which has grown to the point that it is held in 22 states nationwide. Outdoors photos/Patty Lenderman

Ebeneezer Park on Sam Rayburn was again the host site for the Annual C.A.S.T. for kids event Sept. 22. C.A.S.T. stands for Catch A Special Thrill, an organization formed in 1991 to join volunteers who love to fish with disabled and disadvantaged children for a day of fishing in the outdoors.

The C.A.S.T. for Kids event was designed to create an environment whereby both children and adults could benefit, each taking from the day their own lessons.

Children and adults could leave their problems on shore and share a day of fun on the water. Since then, the number of events has grown to 50 annually in 22 states.

When Art Pasley, National Director for the organization first came to East Texas in 2001 he met with Mike Taylor of The Stump Restaurant. Art explained the concept to him, and asked if he could help coordinate an event to cater to up to 30 kids. Mike's answer was no.

No kid would be left out. Utilizing his community contacts, the event reached broader in scope and in activities, quickly becoming the largest of all C.A.S.T. events in the country.

The goal and the purpose of C.A.S.T. is to reach out to a group of kids that are normally overlooked in coordinated outdoor events, and give them a day that they can actively participate in the activities, forgetting, for just a little while, the challenges they must face every day. Each year, many community members come together to make it happen.

Rhonda Mays was again the official Director this year, but takes very little credit. "It takes everyone working together to make it happen. Without the sponsors, donations and volunteers it simply couldn't happen."

It began at 9 a.m., with breakfast burrito's ready for everyone from Tamales Restaurant.

The kids were divided into color groups then dispersed to the various stations of activities.

These activities included boat rides, buggy rides pulled by mules, boat and water safety lessons, a hay ride, checking out everything in the ladder fire truck, and of course, fishing!

Throughout the morning the groups went from station to station to ensure everyone got to participate in every activity. For some, it was the event they've looked forward to and participated in for several years now.

For many, it was a first. For all, it was a day jampacked with fun. It's the type of event where everyone wins - the kids and the volunteers. The joy on the kids' faces, the happy squeals at the excitement of their accomplishments makes it all worthwhile. It is one day that we came together and made a difference in someone's life.

At noon, everyone was gathered together to enjoy hot dogs and hamburgers from The Stump Restaurant, then as a grand finale the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Tribe dancers entertained with their traditional dances, educated with history and song,

As the day came to a close, the kids were presented with plaques, rod & reel combo's and tackle boxes so they could continue on their own to have other days of fun in the outdoors.