Editor’s note: If you book a guided fishing trip on one of 5 days in September, all proceeds will go to support the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation. Read the details below.
Our future depends on kids! Anyone in the fishing industry understands that statement well and will go to all ends to introduce and maintain a fishing interest in kids. One of the problems in that scenario is that all kids don’t get the same opportunity to learn and experience the sport.
The C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation understands the concept and continually introduces kids to the outdoors. C.A.S.T. (Catch A Special Thrill) is a public charity that was formed in 1991. The organization brings volunteers who love to fish, together with disabled and disadvantaged children for a day of fishing and fun.
The Foundation became an official 501(c)3 in 1994 and currently hosts three programs; C.A.S.T. for Kids, Fishing Kids, and Take a Warrior Fishing. They have an event coming up on September 23, 2017 that will host Special Needs Kids, ages 5-18, for a day of fishing on Weiss Lake.
Book a trip and support the kids
One strong supporter of this year’s event is Anthony’s Guide Service out of Leesburg, AL. Anthony’s Guide Service will be donating proceeds directly to the organization, from fishing trips that are booked during the period September 18-22.
Many saw the announcement on the Anthony’s Guide Service Facebook page. “I’m going to be short and sweet,” read the post. It went on to indicate that he and his wife would be donating all proceeds earned from trips on those five days to C.A.S.T. “Please book these dates, 9/18/17 through 9/22/17…Thanks the Hales,” concluded the post.
Anthony’s Guide service is owned and operated by Captain Chad Hale, a U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Master captain. Captain Chad operates a fulltime, year-round guide service on Weiss, Guntersville, and Neely Henry Lakes in NE Alabama.
This is Captain Hale’s first event with C.A.S.T. for Kids. “My wife and I have a soft spot for people that struggle with quality of life,” said Hale. “So many of us really don’t step back and grasp the true freedom of our country and how lucky every one of us are. Just when you think you have it bad someone else has it worse.”
Specializing in crappie, bream, shellcracker, stripe bass, and catfish, Captain Hale invites you to come on over and get a tight line to the benefit of C.A.S.T. for Kids.
If you would like to book one of those special days for a Weiss Lake fishing trip with Hale, call the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce at 256-927-8455. The Cherokee Chamber of Commerce is also a supporter of the event.
Benefits to the Kids
The benefits of such programs to the kids are well known. In the first place, fishing provides activity and exercise beyond what they get in their normal daily activities. They are likely to develop new friendships and learn social interaction skills and probably learn how to tie a knot and bait a hook. The smiles on their faces, when they catch a fish, are priceless.
Volunteers Needed
One of the most important cogs in the wheel of this type of effort are the volunteers. That is where you and your friends can help at the upcoming event on Weiss Lake. They need anglers with boats and other volunteers to help give the kids the best day possible. If you are interested, as a participant, boat captain, or other volunteer, please go to the website at www.castforkids.org/event/lakeweiss to register.
You can also donate to this event at the website listed above. Simply scroll down to the “Support This Event tab and click to donate.
“We can take 40 special needs children at this event,” reported Event Co-Coordinator, Thereasa Hulgan. “So, we need 40 boater volunteers and 20 non-boater volunteers to complete the day for these kids. Volunteers are important to make the event successful and the payoff, I promise you, will be a huge blessing.”
Where and When
The event will he held out of Graves Three Rivers Landing, 4305 County Road 63 (Blackwell’s Crossroads on Hwy 9 between Centre and Cedar Bluff) on Saturday September 23, 2017.
The Weiss Lake C.A.S.T. event is for Special Needs Kids ages 5-18 and they must be accompanied by an Adult.
For more information about C.A.S.T. for Kids visit www.castforkids.org.
