News Release Archive

Reclamation Schedules Ninth Annual C.A.S.T. for Kids Fishing Event at Millerton Lake State Recreation Area

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100, 09/25/2009 17:36

For Release: September 25, 2009

The Bureau of Reclamation's South-Central California Area Office (SCCAO), in cooperation with the national Catch A Special Thrill (C.A.S.T.) for Kids Foundation, is hosting its ninth annual C.A.S.T. for Kids event on Saturday, October 3, 2009, from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the boat launch area located at the California State Parks - Millerton Lake State Recreation Area in Friant, California.  The C.A.S.T. Foundation encourages communities to provide disabled and disadvantaged children with a quality outdoor recreational experience while increasing participants' awareness of the capabilities of children with disabilities.

The day of fishing and on-shore activities teams up boaters and volunteers with returning C.A.S.T. participants and 40 children selected this year from the Fresno County Department of Children and Family Services, Center for Independent Living, San Joaquin River Intertribal Heritage Educational Corporation, the Sierra Tribal Consortium, Inc., and the Merced County Office of Education.  After a pancake breakfast sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Old Town Clovis, the children will receive free fishing gear, a T-shirt, and a hat before taking off for their fishing experience.  The Fresno, Kerman, and Sierra Bass Clubs and individual boaters are donating the use of their boats and time to teach the children about boating and fishing.

While the children are fishing, their families, friends, and care givers will participate in recreational, informational, and natural resource on-shore activities.  To make this event happen, Reclamation has support from local area contributors and has partnered with J's Communications, Valley Rod and Gun, Its My Party, RiverTree Volunteers, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Coast Guard, Sierra Foothill Conservancy, La Petite Academy, Kaiser Permanente, Fresno County Sheriff's Department, California Department of Water Resources, California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention, American Ambulance, California State Parks - Millerton Lake State Recreation Area, California Department of Fish and Game, and California Department of Boating and Waterways. 

Lunch will be hosted and served by the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority and the Los Banos Future Farmers of America.  The day will end with a closing ceremony and awards presentation.  The Fresno High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps will participate in the ceremony. 

Please contact Ms. Elizabeth Lampkin, C.A.S.T. Foundation, at 559-443-9789, if interested in helping with the on-shore activities.  For questions, please contact Ms. Valerie Curley, SCCAO, at 559-487-5041 or e-mail vcurley@usbr.gov.  Information about the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation may 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.