life who took the time to take them fishing. Maybe it was a dad or grandfather, or
possibly a mom, relative, or friend. C.A.S.T. volunteer Perry Crowder of Arkansas
fondly recalls his grandfather taking him fishing as a boy, and how much it meant to him.
That was a big reason he wanted to volunteer at his first C.A.S.T. for Kids event in 2023
in Sherwood, AR.
As the children began to arrive at the event that morning back in 2023, a young
participant was introduced as Perry Onick, and Mr. Perry Crowder thought to himself,
“there is my boy.” The event coordinator Kathy Crowder paired the two Perry’s up
together for a day of fishing, and off they went to the water’s edge.
Perry Onick had never been fishing before, and that day he caught 23 bream and a big
catfish! It was a wonderful experience, and a new friendship was made between the
two Perry’s. They made such a special bond that when the two met again at C.A.S.T.
for Kids the next year, Perry Onick announced that he wasn’t going fishing “unless Mr.
Perry was going to be there!” They didn’t catch quite as many fish at the 2024 event,
but still had a beautiful time just being together.
As the 2025 C.A.S.T. for Kids event season rolled around in Arkansas, Little Perry told
his mother he would travel to the C.A.S.T. for Kids event only if Mr. Perry would be his
volunteer! According to little Perry’s mother, she asked him why and he replied
“Because I have a nice time with him, and I think he is cool!” His wish came true, and
the two Perry’s spent yet another day together in the warm sun telling stories, laughing,
and reeling in fish. Mr. Perry Crowder says that over the last three years “Perry has
become a lot more responsive, and really opened up to me. We talk about all sorts of
things now, including our names! Perry continued, “he gets excited about every little fish
he catches, and he’s getting really good at fishing.”
The elder Perry summed his experience at C.A.S.T. for Kids up this way, “I love kids and
have always been involved with coaching and Boy Scouts. I still recall how much it
meant to me as a boy when my Grandfather took the time to take me fishing, and that
makes me want to give back and help make some great memories with Perry at
C.A.S.T. for Kids.”
Little Perry’s mother says their family keeps a picture of the two Perry’s fishing together
at C.A.S.T. for Kids on their kitchen table, and they talk about their fun times with Mr.
Perry often.
At C.A.S.T. for Kids, we are so thankful for volunteers like Perry Crowder who
generously give of their time to make a positive impact in a young person’s life. Come
volunteer at a C.A.S.T. event near you, enrich the life of a young person, and make a
new friend!
