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Another Wonderful Day at Conroe
By: Art Pasley
Southern Director
Jim Williams Honored
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In a brief ceremony held Saturday, September 27th, at this year's Lake Conroe C.A.S.T. for Kids event, Jim Williams was honored for his past efforts with the C.A.S.T. for Kids program. Williams has been the outdoors activity director for the Shiner's Hospital in Houston, since the first C.A.S.T. for Kids event, held at Lake Conroe, in 1995.
Art Pasley, Southern Director for the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation, awarded Jim a framed poster, autographed by some of the country's top professional anglers, as well as some of the past stars of the NFL. This past July, C.A.S.T. for Kids conducted a charity golf tournament to raise greatly needed funds for the program. A picture of Williams carrying one of the participants at last years C.A.S.T. event, was used on the poster for the event, and autographed by the celebrity players.
"This is beautiful, stated Williams, as the tears continued to fall. I'll miss these kids, but I will never forget them" he said, as he posed with his award. "I can't believe it's been 9 years, stated Williams. These kids have been a major part of my life and now it's coming to an end. The C.A.S.T. for Kids event is the most exciting and anticipated event these children have. I want to thank everyone associated with the program for all they do" he concluded.
Williams will be part of a team in the Houston area targeting children with problems dealing with substance abuse. "This is a great challenge not only for me and the staff, but for the kids as well, he continued. I will miss the children in the Shiner's program, but I just feel the time is right for me to take on a new challenge". We wish Jim the best in his new position and on behalf of a grateful foundation wish him continued success. He will be missed.
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This years C.A.S.T. for Kids Event, held at Lake Conroe, continued to be one of the most inspirational events in the Southern Region. Many of the children, all patients of the Shiner's Hospital in Houston, deal with pain and disappointment every day. The opportunity to leave the hospital for a few hours is welcomed, not only by the kids, but the parents as well. As the kids were paired with their fishing partners, they were outfitted with life jackets, rod & reels, tackle boxes, hats and t-shirts, along with plenty of bait for a fun day on the lake. As they boarded each bass boat and pontoon boat, the smiles began to show as they anticipated big catches for the day. As the last boat left the docks, everyone on shore began to prepare for their return.
April Plaza Marina and Motel have hosted the event since 1995. Each year, Ron Werner and his staff, have provided the facility as well as prepare the lunch and encourage local residents to participate in the event. This year was no different, with one exception, more people began to volunteer. In addition to our usual group, WBFA touring pro angler Kathy Cater asked her family to cook the lunch as Sherran Strong Bard, freelance photographer and outdoor writer of Eyes of Texas Photography, documented the event on film. With these ladies on hand, I look for next year's program to be a real barn burner that means a big deal, in Texas.
As the boats returned to the April Plaza boat docks, the children began to display the results of their efforts. Strings of catfish and bream were displayed for pictures and carefully released by the kids to be caught another day.
"This is wonderful", stated Mariam Dillow, outdoor activities director for the hospital. This is my first C.A.S.T. event and I can't believe how much fun it was for the kids. I had no idea what to expect", she continued.
Mariam Dillow will be organizing future events with the children from the Shiner's Hospital. Jim Williams, past activities director with the Shiner's Hospital, has worked with C.A.S.T. for Kids since the first event in 1995. A special award was presented to Jim for his past efforts. (Please read the story "Jim Williams Honored") in the Headlines section on our front page.
As the children received their plaques and posed for pictures with their partners, they made their way back to the Shiner Vans with memories of a great day at the lake.
Barbera Ellis, an employee of April Plaza Marina and Motel, told of her day with one of the children stating, "I couldn't understand Spanish and the little girl couldn't understand English, but we both created a bond for life. This was a wonderful day for me as well as the kids" she concluded. It was a wonderful day for everyone Barbera, a very special day.
Thank you to Gary Smith, Mr. & Mrs. Ron Werner, Barbera Ellis, Sherran Strong Bard, Kathy Cater, the Cater family and the many volunteers, donors and boaters at this years
C.A.S.T. for Kids Event at Lake Conroe.
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