Cape Harbour Finale for 2007
The Dolphin Boats / Cape Harbour Marina C.A.S.T. event ended the 2007 C.A.S.T. Event season in true Southwest Florida fashion. 37 disabled children from the Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida spent the day fishing with local Boat Captains for a fun filled day in the Gulf of Mexico. This was no ordinary C.A.S.T. Event unless you're used to seeing photographers in helicopters, TV crews, newspaper reporters and anyone with a camera chasing participants, Boat Captains and volunteers around the site, asking for interviews and pictures. Professional Football players, professional fishermen and magicians along with the elite staff of C.A.S.T. volunteers filled the area surrounding the Rumrunner pavilion and launch site, encouraging the kids to go catch fish. As each boat returned, cheers from the crowd echoed throughout the area as smiles on the kids faces proved that the efforts made had hit home with them and their families.
As each returned one by one, the local media turned the cameras on and the thrill was more than some could imagine. "I saw a Dolphin and a Manatee!" shouted a young lady running along the walkway. "Would you like to be on TV?" was asked of many of the kids and Boat Captains as one by one they gave their testimony for the day of fishing and the thrill they shared on the water. The following letter from the Feeley family pretty much sums up the day.
"We're completely sun-baked, fished-out, and we stink like bait, but boy-oh-boy did we HAVE A BLAST!!!!!!!!!!! What a great day. We had so much fun.
We've lived here in South Florida for 3 years now, and LOVE to fish, but have never had the opportunity to go out on a boat and fish. Wow! We didn't realize what we've been missing! The cool breeze as we started out, seeing the mangroves, the birds, other boats and fellow fishermen put big smiles on both our faces. We knew it would be a good day. Captain Tuna is a great guy! He found the best little spot to anchor. We kept him hoppin' answering our questions, re-baiting our lines, and helping us get the fish off our hooks. All the while, trying to keep some of us IN the boat! BIG BIG BIG Thanks to Capt' Tuna.
WE CAUGHT FISH! WOOO HOOO!
Sadly, the time passed far too quickly, and we were desperately trying to soak in those last moments as we headed back to shore. Hungry, not only for lunch, but to tell everyone our "fish stories".
It was all great. Getting to meet famous "fish guys", being gifted with everything we needed, breakfast-lunch-awards-dessert & gosh, just ALL of it, made for a day we will not soon forget! A very treasured memory! (Pretty cool that we even have a plaque to commemorate the day)
To sum it up in the words of one very happy, tired kiddo...
"I liked that guy, I want a boat, I caught a fish, do they do this again, and can we go next time Mom?"
Thanks a million! The Feeley Family."
National Spokesman, Clay Dyer FLW Touring Professional & Motivational Speaker helped as he encouraged the everyone, volunteers, kids and parents with his quote: "If I can, you can." Clay has been a professional for over 12 years and was born with no arms or legs, but does have a partial 16-inch arm on his right shoulder. "To see a Bass Professional fish with the kids pulling in Saltwater Snook was a wonderful thing, he sure motivated many." stated Kostick, Director of Development for C.A.S.T.
Both Professional Angler Al Keller winner of ESPN Redfish Cup Team of the year of Dolphin boats and National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Famer Art Pasley fished the kids and signed autographs.
"This is my third time fishing these kids with C.A.S.T and it is always a new experience with each child to see the excitement they share, words can sometimes be difficult to express what we experience, I would encourage all to get involved with this organization, as it is fishing kids from many charities around the country. You really need to be a part of it to get the full effect." stated Keller.
So ends another year of C.A.S.T. for Kids events but plans are already underway as event host from around the country are setting event dates and organizing their planning committees. We look forward to another opportunity to help you and your friends, families and volunteers "Catch A Special Thrill"
There are so many people to thank that it would take days to list them all. A few of those that have to be mentioned are the people that made it happen. Starting with Karl Zimmermann and Dolphin Boats, Touring Professional Al Keller, National Spokesperson, Clay Dyer, Sports Agent, Elvin Smith, Sandy Kostick, Cape Harbour Marina, Rumrunners, Pignoli's, Venture Out, Screenprint Plus, Twisted Conch, Robert Murray, Frank Muto, Wil Stout, Glenda Swager, Susan Grinstead, Abbey Shelton, Terry Walsh, Captain Lamar Williams, Captain Joey Burnsed, Captain Tuna, Dawn Murray, Chris Polanco, The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida and The Lee county Boys & Girls Club, Cabbage Key, Tarpon Lodge, Jason Rider, and all the volunteers listed in our Card of Thanks on our website listing.
 Related Article
|
(Click on a picture to enlarge)
|
