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2003 Events |
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Partnerships has Smooth Sailing in Oklahoma By: Art Pasley Southern Director You can only imagine the disappointment in my heart when I heard the words, we can't do a C.A.S.T. event this year. We have very little help and more work than we can do. This was the case as the United States Department of Interior agency, Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) struggled to find a way to conduct the second annual C.A.S.T. for Kids event in Oklahoma. With a small staff and additional duties assigned to the office, there just wasn't anyway the Bureau could independently coordinate another C.A.S.T. event at Lake Thunderbird. As it turned out, Reclamation was able to form a partnership with the Lake Thunderbird State Park and the Thunderbird Sailing Club. Once the decision was made to share in the effort to conduct the event, the wheels began to turn and as a result, those in attendance participated in what turned out to be one of the best organized C.A.S.T. events I have ever attended. Last years C.A.S.T. event was held under the threat of heavy rain and lightning, but for this year's program, we couldn't have asked for a prettier day. As the sun began to rise over Lake Thunderbird, the staff from Reclamation, Susan Hendon and her staff from the Lake Thunderbird State Park and the members of the Thunderbird Sailing Club had already set up registration tables and assembled everything for the event. With the past experience of Reclamation and the combined effort of everyone involved, everything was as well organized as it could possibly be. It's obvious that someone read our planning manual and paid great attention to every detail it offers. As the boaters and kids began to arrive, we had our boater meeting and participant meeting and everyone was off to another fun day on Lake Thunderbird. One shining star in this year's program was Susan Hendon. "Susan did an excellent job contacting children and boaters for participation in this year's program," stated Jeff Tompkins. "We just didn't have time to do everything and once Susan took the lead, everything started to fall in place. With the Thunderbird State Park staff and the Thunderbird Sailing Club sharing the duties, we were able to provide another memorable event for the children in our area." The boaters and participants returned for a great lunch provided by the local Albertson's food store. They not only provided the lunch, but their employees volunteered to prepare everything as well. The awards began with door prizes for kids and boaters and finally, what every kid in the building was waiting for, the awarding of the plaques. Kids love to be recognized for anything. The few seconds they are in front of all their friends accepting a plaque, with their picture inserted, is priceless in their minds, as well as those of the boaters. This is great, said one of the volunteers. Don't forget to call me next year, stated another. Can I help with the next event, and who can I call to volunteer, was asked by many of those in attendance. As the day came to a close, Thunderbird Sailing Club member Les Cummings lead the group in a ritual HIP HIP HOORAY, and it was over. Everyone left, and I along with a few of the volunteers, stood in an empty parking lot reflecting on what had just happened. One of them said this was a great event. I had to respond with my closing statement from the Friday night dinner with the Thunderbird Sailing Club. Great things don't just happen, great people make great things happen. A special thank you to Jeff Tompkins and the Bureau of Reclamation Oklahoma-Texas Area Office staff, Susan Hendon and the Lake Thunderbird State Park staff, Chad Cox, Les Cummings, and all the members of the Thunderbird Sailing Club, and the many donors and volunteers. You are all Special People Helping Special Children, Catch A Special Thrill. HIP, HIP HOORAY!!
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