2002 Events

Lake Toho

Event Information
Location	Kissimmee, Florida
When	September 7, 2002
Participants:	35 children; 20 boaters; 40 volunteers
Partners & Sponsors:	Kissimmee/St. Cloud Tourist & Visitors Bureau Rotary Club of St. Cloud Big Fish Open Omni Waste

“Kissimmee St. Cloud Kicks Off Big Fish Open”
By Art Pasley
Southern Director

What better way to kick off a month long fishing program than with a C.A.S.T. for Kids Event. That’s exactly what the staff of the Kissimmee St. Cloud Convention and Visitors Bureau thought, as plans were made for this years “BIG FISH OPEN”.
  Karen Paulhamus, and Wendi Jeannin both with the Kissimmee St. Cloud CVB done an outstanding job of coordinating efforts to host this years C.A.S.T. for Kids Event on Saturday September 7, 2002 at lake Tohopekaliga, better know as Lake Toho.
  Disabled children, from the surrounding area, were eager to meet their fishing partners for a day on Lake Toho. As each was paired with a boater captain, they left for what proved to be a first time trip, for many of the kids. Each was provided a Zebco rod & reel, Plano tackle box, t-shirt and hat. Shortly after they left, volunteers began preparing the area for the cookout and awards.
  “I want to grow this event, stated Ms. Jeannin. It’s a good program for disabled children in our area. All the volunteers are great and this turned out to be a fun day for everyone”. Boaters for the event were arranged by touring B.A.S.S. Pro and PAA member Terry Segraves. “I enjoy having an opportunity to be with the kids for a day, stated Terry. I think everyone has a good time and the guys have a lot of fun watching the kids catch fish”.
  As soon as everyone returned to Kissimmee Lakefront Park, they enjoyed burgers, chips and drinks and were awarded plaques by the boater partners, and as with other C.A.S.T. events, this one was over, but not without talks about plans for next year.
  Kissimmee St.Cloud is a beautiful area of Florida. With Disney World only a few miles up the road and so many historical sites in the area, this would have to be at the top of anyone’s plans for a vacation trip. The weather is always nice with small occasional showers and the Gulf coast is on one side and the Atlantic on the other and both only a short drive away.
  Our hat is off to the many volunteers, sponsors and staff from the Kissimmee St. Cloud Convention and Visitors Bureau and Wendi, Karen and Terry.