Fishing event was fun for all who participated | Letters | Sept. 17

Published 2:15 pm Friday, September 17, 2010

On Saturday, Sept. 4, Bainbridge Island held its first annual C.A.S.T. for Kids event, hosted by the Bainbridge Island Yacht Club.

C.A.S.T. (“Catch A Special Thrill”) for Kids Foundation is a public charity that was formed in 1991 to join volunteers who love to fish with disabled and disadvantaged children for a day of fishing in the outdoors.

Because of the very generous support of numerous businesses on the island, this was offered at no cost to the families. The cold, drizzly morning did not bother the 14 kids who participated along with a dozen volunteer boat captains and fishermen. We were warmed by hot drinks generously donated by Treeroot Espresso & Edibles and donuts from Stephen’s House.

This event was truly an inspiring and worthwhile event for our community. The guidance and hard work of city Harbormaster Tami Allen allowed us to coordinate a dozen boats arriving and leaving from the city dock early Saturday morning; taking the children out for a morning of fishing.

It’s not clear who had more fun, the kids or the boat captains and fishermen! It was priceless to see each child come off the water with huge smiles and a big story to tell.

With the sun appearing about noon, we enjoyed a BBQ in the park with the numerous volunteers, children, and their families thanks to the generosity of Costco and Town & Country Market, as well as the Kiwanis Club of Bainbridge Island and Poulsbo. Each child left with a plaque with their photo, plus a tackle box and fishing pole. The parents of the children seemed especially touched by this event and are anxious to invite a friend to come along next year.

Thank you to all the wonderful parents who shared your children with us on Saturday. For more information about C.A.S.T. for Kids go to: www.castforkids.org. For more about our event, including pictures, go to http://www.the-biyc.us. If you’d like to participate next year, let us know – we hope to make it bigger and even better!

Laurie and Scott Isenman

Bainbridge Island Yacht Club