I love anniversaries. They provide an opportunity to reflect back over many years of good times. Anniversaries foster thanksgiving and wonderful memories. Best of all, anniversaries bring joy and hope. This year, the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation celebrates its 30th anniversary. To paraphrase Isaiah, a C.A.S.T. for Kids participant from Texas, “30, 30, 30, ….WOW!”
The last 30 years comprise a vast body of work benefitting our mission of enriching the lives of children with special needs, supporting their families, and strengthening communities through the sport of fishing. The Foundation’s body of work includes hosting 1170 events, enjoyed by over 130,000 children and 2200 warriors. Thanks to our incredible volunteer base of over 79,000 volunteers, these events have provided a lasting and positive impact on the people and communities they’ve served. It is fair to say that C.A.S.T. for Kids events benefit everyone involved, and they make the world a better place. It truly is time well spent.
There are many people to thank. To the former and present Foundation staff, event coordinators, the army of volunteers, donors and sponsors, I wish to say thank you for a job well done. More importantly, I’d like to say thank you from all the kids. They are the beneficiaries of your generosity. Over 130,000 good times and wonderful memories were created thanks to you!
As we look forward, we want to provide opportunities to as many children as possible. Our vision includes scaling C.A.S.T. for Kids out nationally to include multiple events in every state in America. We know kids all over the globe would enjoy attending a C.A.S.T. for Kids event, so International events may be coming in the future as well. The sky is the limit for C.A.S.T. for Kids, so lets make it happen for these children. They deserve it!
Sincerely,
Jay Yelas, Executive Director