Big Day at Bastrop
By: Art Pasley
If you've followed the C.A.S.T. event reports written the past several years, then you already know the reputation of the Bureau of Reclamation and their tireless efforts, when it's time to host a C.A.S.T. event. Reclamation has fine tuned the program to a level of excellence that's hard to match, but just when I thought it couldn't get any better, Austin, Texas based Oklahoma-Texas Area Manager Larry Walkoviak contacted his friends at the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), and set in motion one of the strongest partnership efforts I have ever witnessed to conduct the first ever Texas Bureau of Reclamation / LCRA C.A.S.T. for Kids event.
"We have a small staff in our Texas office and I thought if the LCRA could get involved with our event, then we could really have a quality program for everyone", stated Mr. Walkoviak. "It took one phone call to the LCRA area office and after hearing our request they were more than willing to partner with us for our first C.A.S.T. event in Texas. From that point forward, Raphael White with the LCRA, and our own Collin Balcombe from Reclamation put plans in motion for the Lake Bastrop event. As you can see, our partnership proved to be a great decision for everyone, especially the kids", he concluded.
With the support of over 20 sponsors from the local community, especially Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, Chili's, and our beloved Kiwanians, Reclamation and LCRA gave 34 special kids and their families, along with 38 boat captains, the opportunity of a lifetime, albeit the first of many opportunities to come.
I was almost overwhelmed by the number of volunteers as they began to arrive the morning of the event. Shuttle buses moved them from a remote parking lot and it seemed as though they would never stop running. LCRA vehicles covered the area and as the boaters arrived and the children were partnered, you could feel the excitement in the air.
Once the fishing began, volunteers began setting up finger painting booths, and alligator, turtle and snake petting. Texas Parks and Wildlife officers were on hand to answer questions and pass out fish badges, too. Volunteers started the open fire pit for the barbeque, while others worked on the award plaques and door prizes. Every phase of the event was covered like a Mercedes Benz in a hail storm. As the kids and their new found boater Captain friends returned to shore, they were treated to a great hot dog - hamburger lunch with the best french fries I have ever tasted. Is it just me, or does food taste that much better outside?
Once everyone was fed, Collin Balcombe introduced his partner Raphael White, the guest speakers, Sponsors and volunteers, and he then started the awards presentations for the kids. In addition to the regularly scheduled speakers, one of the parents asked if he could say a few words, and of course the microphone is always open at a C.A.S.T. event. "I just want to thank every one of the volunteers, the LCRA and the Bureau of Reclamation for putting this event on for our kids. It makes me feel so good to know we haven't been forgotten. There are very few programs for our kids and I just want you all to know how much this means to me and the other parents. I don't think we have ever had this much fun" he concluded.
As the day came to a close I felt as though it had been a dream. Watching Raphael with the radios orchestrating every move of the event and Collin with his Oklahoma Reclamation side kick Jeff Tompkins working through the details of the awards and mechanics of the program, it seemed as though I was on the outside looking in. That's not a bad place to be when things go as well as they did at Bastrop. I guess the best part of my job is watching Special People, Helping Special Children, "Catch A Special Thrill". From what I saw that day, there are going to be a lot more thrills at Lake Bastrop for many years to come.
Thanks again my friends.
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(Click on a picture to enlarge)
 
 
 
 
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Event Information |
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Location |
Bastrop, Texas |
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When |
April 9th, 2005 |
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Participants: |
34 children
110 volunteers
38 Boaters |
Partners &
Sponsors: |
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Oklahoma-Texas Area Office
Lower Colorado River Authority
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative
Chili's
Bastrop Orthodontics
Texas Parks & Wildlife
Re/Max
McCoy's Building Supply Center
Blue Bell Ice Cream
Krispy Kreme Donuts
Coca Cola
Bastrop Marine
Academy Sports & Outdoors
Koehler-Barton Insurance
Austin Kiwanis Club
Bastrop Kiwanis Club
University Area Austin Kiwanis Club
Sportsman's Warehouse
Austin Rent Way
Bastrop Party Rentals
McBride's Guns Inc.
H.E.B.
First National Bank
Tractor Supply
Walgreen's
Sea Scout Ship 1701
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Special Thank You To: |
Larry Walkoviak and Collin Balcombe from the Bureau of Reclamation
Bob Long, Joe Beal, Donna Brasher, Frank Morgan, Rusty Ray and Ms.Raphael White from the Lower Colorado River Authority.
Mark Rose, Tommy Frizell and Emily Wilkins from Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.
Ralph Richardson and Perry Speaker from Chili's.
Texas B.A.S.S. Federation, Bastrop Bass Club, Plum Creek Casters, and the many Captains from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.
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