GLADEWATER, Texas — On June 1, Lake Gladewater will host a fishing derby unlike any other.
It's called CAST for Kids and we went fishing for details in this week's Hooked On East Texas.
If you've been to any other Cast for Kids fishing derbies, then you know this event is is more than a name. We met up with Lake Gladewater Cast For Kids organizer Patti Walker and she told us the CAST stands for, "catching a special thrill."
Cast for Kids gives children with special needs a chance to fish -- something many of us may take for granted.
For Walker, the events are emotional.
"You get to take special kids out, but don't get that opportunity,"" Walker said. "Like we do, you know, we get to go fishing whenever we want, or do whatever we want. And, you know, these families that have these kids, they don't get that opportunity."
Walker helped out at a CAST for Kids last year at Lake Tyler. Now she’s the organizer at this year’s CAST for Kids fishing derby at Lake Gladewater. It's the event's first time here, but video from past events at other lakes promises the shoreline of Lake Gladewater will be full of smiles.
“And I mean, just to see their faces, you know, in the touch a fish. I mean, it's just, it changed me last year," Walker said.
She credits sponsors and volunteers for making this derby come true. Everything from rods and reels, to bait, tackle boxes, lunch and awards makes this event possible.
“People think because you know, they're wheelchair-bound or whatever, that they can't do it," Walker said. “And they sure can, I mean, we take them on the boats and the wheelchairs if they need to," said Walker.
Boats, that’s one thing Walker says she still needs. There are 10 boats signed up so far and there could be up to 40 young anglers.
“So if anybody would like to volunteer to be a boater, that would be so appreciative," Walker said. "So everybody would have a chance to get out on the water."
Texas holds more CAST for Kids events than any other state. There are more than 40 events in Texas each year.
There is still time to sign up for this weekend's event at castforkids.org. The next East Texas event takes place Oct. 12 at Lake Tyler.