Lake Conroe

C.A.S.T. B.A.S.S. & Shriner Kids
"No Place but Texas"

By: Art Pasley

Each year a group of special volunteers work to provide a day of fun and fishing to children with disabilities from the Shriners Hospital of Houston. It's a welcome break from their normal routine of outpatient hospital visits for painful therapy, or a break from countless days spent in the rooms at the hospital. Most of these children are faced with a daily challenge to endure hours of therapy and treatments provided by the Shriners Hospital, but for one day a year, they are challenged by volunteer boaters and partners to catch fish.
  Since 1997, volunteers from the south Texas area have come together for a day of fun and fishing with this special group of children at Lake Conroe. As the Shriner Vans pulled into the April Plaza Marina parking lot, the smiles began to gleam. Now you're probably thinking I'm talking about on the kids faces, but it was the volunteers. "You know", stated an excited Mike James, "last year I had a young man that has spent his entire life in a wheel chair. As we headed to the stage he asked me to pick him up and carry him to receive his award. After posing for his picture, I carried him back to his chair and he asked if I would just hold him for a little longer. That was one of the most rewarding days of my life. I cried all the way home. I hope he's here again this year" he concluded.
  As the kids registered, the boaters were paired with their partners for the day and off they went, each sporting a new Zebco rod & reel, a Plano tackle box, a new t-shirt and hat and a dream of catching the biggest fish of their lives. "This is very exciting" stated Miriam Dillow, activities director for the Shriners Hospital. "The kids are excited and I can't wait to get on the boat" she stated. Ms. Dillow and her group do a wonderful job of caring for these kids and making sure that everything is in place and ready for each child. They love their jobs and the kids love them as well.
  As everyone enjoyed their time on the water, Texas B.A.S.S. Federation State Youth Director, Gary Smith and a host of other volunteers, made all the final arrangements on shore and was ready when they began to arrive back from their excellent adventures. "Look at the smiles on the kids faces and tell me they don't enjoy this", stated Mr. Smith. "It's worth every effort made to provide this day to the kids and the boaters. I'm so proud of the bass clubs in my region and wish everyone had a chance to be here today" he concluded.
  Mark Beckmann, last years President of the Bryan B.A.S.S. Club, was on hand again this year with several members of his club and once again provided much of the support from the Bryan, Texas area, as well as Sherran Strong Bard, owner of the Eyes of Texas Photography Studio and Jessica Merchant, an aspiring photographer, apprentice with Eyes of Texas Photography . Each year, Ms. Bard has provided her services to document the event with her camera as well as other C.A.S.T. events throughout Texas. She has provided many of the pictures seen on the C.A.S.T. website for many years and we are very happy to have her continued effort to be a part of our program.
  As the day drew to a close and all the kids admired their new plaques and filled up on April Plaza Marina and Hotel hot dogs and soft drinks, the kids were loaded back in the vans and were soon gone. "It sure went well," stated Gary, and "boy that was fun" stated one of the volunteers. Like most events, many of the volunteers just spent a little time with each other reflecting on the day and telling stories about their new friends. No Place but Texas? Naw, it's the same everywhere we go, but it sure is fun being with Special People, Helping Special Children, Catch A Special Thrill!
  The Shriner Kids and I would like to thank the volunteers from the Bryan Bass Club, Seven Coves Bass Club, Vidor B.A.S.S. Anglers Association, Houston Oilman's Bass Club, Southern Bass Masters and the Katy Bass Masters Bass Club. We would also like to thank Ron Werner and the good people at April Plaza Marina and Motel, Vessel Assist, Eyes of Texas Photography and the many volunteers from around South Texas and a special thank you to Judy Hicks, a very special lady.

(Click on a picture to enlarge)