Community Partnerships For Kids At Work
With a full lake, full hearts, and full smiles, volunteers gathered on September 9, 2006, to welcome a very special group of kids to the 6th annual C.A.S.T for Kids event at Millerton Lake, Friant, California.
This year C.A.S.T event was fortunate to have 30 Alumni Kids return to participate in the on-shore activities and 47 kids go out as "2006 C.A.S.T. Kids" to learn about boating and "catch and release" fishing from their fishing buddies and 44 boat captains. The boat captains were from the Fresno Bass Club, Kerman Bass Club, Sierra Bass Club, the California Striped Bass Association, and six were volunteer boat captains not associated with a boating organization.
The "2006 C.A.S.T." event was a joint effort between many organizations. The Bureau of Reclamation and the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation partnered with American Ambulance, Bounce Forever, Break the Barriers, Dance Empowerment, San Joaquin River Intertribal Heritage Educational Corp., Children's Hospital Central California, J's Communications, Fresno Discount Trophy, Birds of Prey, Sierra Endangered Cat Haven, Mountain Toppers 4-Wheel Drive Club, Pirates of the Triton, RiverTree Volunteers, Sierra Foothill Conservancy, US Forest Service, US Coast Guard, La Petite Academy, Fresno County Sheriff's Department, and the California Departments of Water Resources, Forestry, and Fish and Game to make this community event a success. Along with our partners 21 other entities donated items or funds in support of the C.A.S.T for Kids event.
The day began with a hot pancake breakfast sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Old Town Clovis. Children received free fishing gear, a T-shirt, hat and snack bag before taking off for their boating and fishing experience on Millerton Lake. While the 47 participants were searching to hook the 'big one', 350 individuals enjoyed 10 presentations, and 21 on-shore activities at the Grange Grove area of Millerton Lake. The activities were creative and designed in a way participants were able to learn. Thanks to the Kiwanis of Old Town Clovis, the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority, and their partners; there was food and beverage for all from sunrise to noon. Boat rides on the "Eagle Tour Boat" thanks to Millerton Lake Parks and Recreation was provided to those who wished to tour Millerton Lake with the Pirates of the Triton.
After 3 hours of fishing fun, the children returned to shore, to eat lunch and participate in the on-shore activities before the awards ceremony began. The awards ceremony began with the Fresno High School JROTC posting colors and Ms. Regina Lee from Dance Empowerment singing the Star Spangled Banner. The awards ceremony continued with encouraging words from Michael Jackson, Area Manager, South-Central California Area Office. Each participant received a goodie bag with numerous publications about water safety and natural resource information and various goodies representing each agency, a backpack, a C.A.S.T. plaque with a picture of themselves and their captain to commemorate the joyous occasion, were also provided.
A fishing participant Michael Lopez stated that this was his first year here fishing and "he had a lot of fun".
The C.A.S.T. for Kids event is truly special. It provides children with special needs the opportunity to enjoy a day especially for them.
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