Lake Thunderbird
Old Friends and New Faces at Thunderbird Event
By: Art Pasley
Each year the Bureau of Reclamation staff and its many volunteers host the Thunderbird C.A.S.T. event for disabled children in and around Norman, Oklahoma. The annual Reclamation event began with a core group led by Fred Landefeld and has continued to grow each year. Area Manager, Larry Walkoviak was in attendance at that event, and what a joy it was to see him and his wife at this year's program.
"I look forward to an event in Texas next year" stated Mr. Walkoviak. "We have a great staff and I know they will do a great job there as well" he concluded.
As the registration began Jeff Tompkins and the Reclamation staff, working with Susan Hendon, and her Thunderbird State Park staff, quickly assigned kids to their boaters for the day. There were several old hands on deck for this years program, many of which you have seen in past event photos, and it was good to see them doing so well. "Hey Bobby" I offered, as the young participant walked up. "How you doin buddy" I asked as he was being fitted with a life jacket and rod and reel, tackle box and t-shirt. "Doin good" was his reply and off he went.
In addition to the old hands there were several new faces as well. Not only new participants, but new boaters and sponsors for this very successful program. Les Cummings, a member of the Lake Thunderbird Educational Foundation, was able to get Hudiburg Auto Group and Sarkeys Foundation involved by providing a very large tent and other equipment for the event as well as setting it up for the day. "The event has grown so much that we had to move outside the Thunderbird Boathouse to accommodate everyone" he stated.
With volunteers setting up tables and chairs for the awards and lunch, everything was in place for another memorable awards ceremony for the kids and everyone in attendance. Once the ceremony began, Jeff Tompkins was recognized for his efforts to continue the program, not only in Oklahoma, but assisting the Texas office with their event, scheduled for April 2005. "I want everyone to know how much Reclamation enjoys hosting this event each year and how important it is to be involved with a program like C.A.S.T." he stated.
As the participants began to receive their plaques from the boaters and pose for pictures the smiles really began to show. If you are still wondering what it means, that is the "Special Thrill", and thanks to the "Special Thrill Makers", hopefully, those smiles will continue for many more years.
A special thank you to Jeff Tompkins, Susan Hendon, Fred Landefeld, Larry Walkoviak, Les Cummings, Chad Cox and the Thunderbird Boathouse Consortium, Julie, Calvin and all the Oklahoma volunteers. You are all, "Special People Helping Special Children" Catch A Special Thrill.
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