Words and Images by Jenny Lynn Davis
The annual Walker County-area CAST For Kids event took place Friday, October 17, at Walker County Lake, giving local special needs students a chance to spend the morning fishing alongside community volunteers.
CAST For Kids is a national program that uses fishing to enrich the lives of children with special needs, support their families, and build stronger communities. The Walker County event is part of the CAST For Kids Foundation’s nationwide series of more than 100 events held each year.
“This is the tenth year that we’ve done the event here in Walker County,” said Jeff Barnes, CAST For Kids Eastern Regional Director. “The first few we did out at Smith Lake Dam, but the more recent events have been here at Walker County Lake. Bobby Hand is our local coordinator, and he is the one who really deserves credit for this event, and David Banks as well. The CAST For Kids Foundation has other events in Alabama and Bobby and David travel to those as well to help out.”
“We had 40 registrants this year and 37 participants,” Barnes continued. “We had 118 volunteers for this year’s event, and that’s a lot. I do a lot of events every year, and that’s the most volunteers I’ve had at any event this year, and we do appreciate the support.”
CAST For Kids events are made possible through the generous support of national and local sponsors who are committed to positively impacting the lives of these extraordinary children and, in turn, strengthening their communities.
Sponsors of this year’s event include: The Walker Area Community Foundation, The Walker County Farmers Federation, Kiwanis Club of Jasper, Alabama Power, Five Loaves, Spire, American Sport Fish, Woodmen Life, Brooks Insurance Group, ERA Byars Realty, Carl Cannon Chevrolet Buick GMC, Lavish Boutique, Niki’s West, The Daily Mountain Eagle, Warehouse 3Nineteen, Norris Plumbing and Gas, Black Rock Bistro, Pat’s Archery and Outdoors, Ridgeview and Ridgewood Health Services, Son’s Supermarket, Southern Tire Mart, Regional Paramedical Services, Marks Automotive, Adventurous Beginnings, Alfa Insurance – Wes Farmer, Artec Tractor and Equipment, Chick fil A, Marks Outdoors, Southern Orthopedics, Drummond Company, Inc., Take Me Outdoors, Tri County Air Systems, Kilgore-Green Funeral Home, Wesley Eye Care, Duncan Salvage Co, Walker County Lake – David Price, Home Depot, Zebco, Flambeau Outdoors, and Monster Spirit.
This year’s event was held in memory of Scott Drummond and Charlie Skalnik. WL
