News Release Archive

Reclamation Schedules Fourth Annual C.A.S.T. For Kids At Millerton Lake

Commissioner John Keys To Attend

Media Contact: Jeffrey McCracken, 916-978-5100, JMCCRACKEN@mp.usbr.gov

For Release: September 14, 2004

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), in cooperation with the national C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation, is hosting its fourth annual C.A.S.T (Catch A Special Thrill) for Kids event on Saturday, September 25, 2004, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Grange Grove Pavilion located at the California State Parks - Millerton Lake State Recreation Area in Friant, Calif. In support of this Reclamation and community partnership event, the Commissioner of Reclamation, John W. Keys, III, is planning to attend.

The event is a day of on-shore activity and fishing enjoyment that teams boaters and 30 sponsoring agency and organizational volunteers with more than 50 C.A.S.T. for Kids alumni and 55 youth participants. The youth participants were selected this year from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of South San Joaquin Valley, Children's Hospital Central California, Fresno County Department of Children and Family Services, the San Joaquin River Intertribal Heritage Educational Corporation, and the Sierra Tribal Consortium, Inc.

The day will begin with a pancake breakfast sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Old Town Clovis. Then, before taking off for their boating and fishing experience on Millerton Lake, the 55 pre-registered children will receive fishing gear, a T-shirt, and a hat. The Fresno Bass Club, Clovis Bass Club, Kerman Bass Club, California Striped Bass Association, Fresno Fishermen Helpers, and several individual boaters are donating the use of their boats for the day, and the Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission is providing all on-site transportation for the event.

While the children are on the lake fishing, their family, friends, care givers, volunteers, and invited guests can engage in more than 25 recreational, informational, and educational activities.

Reclamation has support from more than 20 local area contributors and has also partnered with J's Communication, Team WorldWide, Vons Foundation, Blue Cross of California State Sponsored Programs, RiverTree Volunteers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Coast Guard, the California Department of Water Resources, the California Department of Fish and Game, the Sierra Foothill Conservancy, the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust, Inc., La Petite Academy, and the Fresno County Sheriff's Department.

Lunch will be served and hosted by the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority and the Los Banos Future Farmers of America. The day will conclude with closing ceremonies and awards presented to the participating children.

People interested in participating in the on-shore activities should contact Valerie Curley at Reclamation's South-Central California Area Office at 559-487-5255 or by e-mail at vcurley@mp.usbr.gov. Information about the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation can be found at www.castforkids.org.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation