News Release Archive

Reclamation Schedules Fifth Annual C.A.S.T. for Kids at Millerton Lake

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

For Release: October 05, 2005

The Bureau of Reclamation, in cooperation with the national Catch A Special Thrill (C.A.S.T.) for Kids Foundation, is hosting its fifth annual C.A.S.T for Kids event on Saturday, October 8, 2005, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Grange Grove Pavilion, located at the Millerton Lake State Recreation Area, in Friant, CA, in recognition of the Department of the Interiors Take Pride in America initiative.

The event is a day of fishing and on-shore activity and enjoyment that teams up boaters and 28 sponsoring agency and organizational volunteers with more than 50 returning and 50 new C.A.S.T. for Kids participants. The 50 youth selected this year are from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of South San Joaquin Valley; Childrens Hospital Central California; Exceptional Parents Unlimited; Fresno County Department of Children and Family Services; the San Joaquin River Intertribal Heritage Educational Corporation; Sierra Tribal Consortium, Inc.; Madera High School B.E.S.T. program; and, the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization.

The day will begin with a pancake breakfast sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Old Town Clovis. After breakfast, the 50 pre-registered children will receive fishing gear to use, a T-shirt and hat that they may keep before taking off for their boating and fishing experience. The Fresno Bass Club, Kerman Bass Club, California Striped Bass Association, Fresno Fishermen Helpers, and several individual boaters are donating the use of their boats and time and the Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission is providing all on-site transportation for the event. The California Department of Boating and Waterways is providing the use of its life vests.

While the participating children are on the lake, their family, friends, caregivers, returning C.A.S.T. Alumni Kids, volunteers, and invited guests will be able to participate in 20 recreational and educational on-shore activities about health, safety, and the outdoors. To make this event happen, the C.A.S.T. Foundation also received support from Js Communications Inc., Team WorldWide, Blue Cross of California - State Sponsored Programs, Kaiser Permanente, RiverTree Volunteers, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Coast Guard, the Sierra Foothill Conservancy, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, La Petite Academy, Fresno County Sheriffs Department, the California Department of Water Resources, and the California Department of Fish and Game in addition to contributions from more than 25 local area businesses, individuals, and organizations.

Smaller guests will be treated to a visit by Keiko the Clown and George the Giraffe. Lunch for all 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.

Anyone interested in participating in the on-shore activities should contact Valerie Curley at Reclamations 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