RI Fisherman Russ Thetonia's Catch-of-The-Day: Kids with Special Needs.

A little over a decade ago, a group of avid fishermen from Washington state came together around their love for the sport of fishing and decided to teach and share their passion with disabled and disadvantaged children in their State. In 1991, the C.A.S.T For Kids Foundation was born. Since then, the program has turned into a national effort that teaches handicapped kids and their families an appreciation for natural resources while partaking in a day of fun on the water.

This Saturday, the program makes it way to Providence for the second year in a row. Thanks in large part to the hard work of native Rhode Islander Russ Thetonia and a volunteer committee comprised of professional boat captains and groups like the Rhode Island Bassmasters, who adopted the first east coast C.A.S.T For Kids fishing day last year.

They chose Roger Williams Park in Providence as their fishing grounds for this special occasion with the kids from the A Wish Come True organization. The event will take place on August 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Temple of Music.

Why did you decide to form a C.A.S.T. For Kids group in Rhode Island?

Photos courtesy of Russell Thetonia

Well, I didn't form it. It's a national program and I just kind of joined their bandwagon. It started 15 years ago in Washington and spread out all over the country, but didn't make it on the East Coast until recently.

I'm a staff member on a forum board online so I found out about them through bassresource.com and the owner of the forum does all the computer work for C.A.S.T. For Kids. When I heard they were spreading to the East, I hopped on board and became the Eastern events coordinator.

My dad did a lot of work with handicapped kids, so I was always around that environment. Later on, I worked with the Special Olympics. I used to be a member of the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team and we did a lot of work with the Special Olympics too so I've been working with handicapped children for years.

When I became a UPS driver, and since my skiing career ended, I really missed [working with the kids] and I've been looking for an avenue to get back into it.

Fishing is an everyday thing for me. I've been a fisherman my whole life and since I've been involved with bassresource.com, which is where I found out about the C.A.S.T. For Kids Foundation, it's definitely filled the gap that I've been missing.

And when you're not driving a UPS truck, you write for bassresource.com?

Yeah, it's the biggest and best website in the world for bass fishing. We're very family friendly. It's strictly tutorial, educational and resourceful.

Photos courtesy of Russell Thetonia

So when the opportunity opened up for C.A.S.T. For Kids to come to the east coast, we figured Rhode Island, our home state, would be a great steppingstone and starting point to spread throughout the rest of our region, almost as a selling tool for the rest of the East Coast.

Why did you choose Providence and Roger Williams Park in particular to host this event for the kids and fish at?

We chose it for several reasons. We team up with the bass clubs in Rhode Island and the local club holds a lot of tournaments at Roger Williams Park. We were confident they could teach the kids whether they're chronically ill or handicapped - how to fish.

Number two is, it's a beautiful location. After the kids fish, they can go to the zoo or play in the park, or just enjoy the scenery.

Providence is a central location too since we got kids coming from all over the state.

It's tough to find a location that meets our needs, you know, we have 40 boats, lots of equipment, lots of people helping out and involved and the park can accommodate all of that. It has places for the boats to dock and launch too. And, RWP is known to have tons of fish! Many people are surprised to find that out, but it does, it has tons of fish!

Tell us about what's going to take place this Saturday.

We're teaming up each of the 40 participants with local boat captains, about 30 to 40 of them from across the State. The kids will go out with their captain for a 1½ hour on the boat. We also take their parents and guardians along so they can learn too and they help do things like tie knots, and stuff like that.

All the kids will also receive equipment that they will take home with them. They get to keep a C.A.S.T. For Kids t-shirt and hat, tackle box, and a fishing rod and reel. All the kids will get a personalized plaque with the angler's picture on it to remember the day. There will also be many games and prizes.

How does it all happen?

I do  this with a committee. Mike Broggi, the director for the RI Junior Bass Team, is my partner on the committee. His junior team comes out to volunteer. It helps to have them there because it puts them the kids at ease and adds a lot to the program. Then, the adult Bassmasters are the boat captains.

We basically generate funds from the community until we get the $2,500 to make the event happen. The money we raise pays for insurance and all the equipment. This year, UPS is sponsoring it.

Everybody really tries to help in his or her own way. Like for example, Mike's daughter, Delainey Broggi, who is one of the award-winning junior bassmasters that competes, held a fundraiser tournament for this event through her high school. She got recognized nationally for raising $1,000 for C.A.S.T. For Kids.

At that time, our whole goal for that fundraiser was to buy life vests for the kids to use at the event. Well, during one of her (championship) competitions, she met the folks at this company called Stearns that makes personal flotation devices and they ended up donating 40 life vests to the kids this year.

This year too, all the food is donated by the Telecom Pioneers, who are a group of retired phone company people, 2,000 strong. They hopped on and took on the food, the grab bags, and so much more. The food was the biggest thing we had to cover. But they're also bringing buttons and taking pictures of the kids with their boat captains.

So overall, the C.A.S.T. For Kids event in Providence happens because of all the people that help out and donate to the program.

Photos courtesy of Russell Thetonia

How do the children benefit from this program?

The kids we invited this year are from the A Wish Come True organization. These kids are hospitalized non-stop and they watch their summers go by. This is one day they get to get out with their family and have fun outdoors and learn how to fish. Their families get to see them smile. And some parents say, s/he hasn't smiled for so long, it's so great to see him/her smile!' They have videos of the kids laughing and enjoying themselves.

Everybody takes something away from this. Everybody walks away with a great feeling, even the guy holding the camera cries because he's so moved. It will really blow you away.

And when they leave the event, they have the equipment. So that's why we teach the parents to do it too so they can be encouraged to do that even more.

Where do you see C.A.S.T. For Kids RI going in the future?

C.A.S.T. For Kids is expanding now. In ten to twelve years, we'd like to see our kids, the alumni, coming out and helping more as we grow.

I get a lot of phone calls from the kids who did it last year asking, Are we doing it again? When are we going fishing again?' So we decide to have an alumni day and the D.E.M. offered the Carolina Fish Hatchery just to our kids for the day. That was really great.

How would you like others to get involved?

Take your kids fishing! If you like to fish yourself, bring your kids anyway and anyhow.

Do you expect to catch a lot of fish this weekend?

Oh yeah!

To volunteer or learn more about the C.A.S.T For Kids program, email Russ Thetonia or go to www.castforkids.org.

CAST 2007 Providence RI 36 hours and counting.

It brings a lot of pleasure to see that smile on a kids face, doesn't it LBH.

That's our boy  

It brings a lot of pleasure to see that smile on a kids face, doesn't it LBH.

Honestly Frog, there is such a "feel good" vibe that goes along with anything to do with CAST (except for poor Glenn who gets all the website drama to deal with,lol) that I have been on a high all week, working and anticipating Saturday.  So much so, that the minute the event is over, the only way to battle the withdrawels is to start planning next years event.  This year, Brian Atkins , Bama Jr director, arriving tonight, and myself will be immediately shooting out for an evening in the boat to come down slowly,lol.

;D ;D ;D ;D

DUDE!

I knew a little about your organization, but not nearly enough. Man, you are a Prince!

8-)

You are exceptional. Maybe i can get it right next year, or help another out. Even though you know I have my thing going, I still want to find a way to get involved with CAST. School will be done by next season, regardless thanks for all you do for EVERYONE who crosses your path!

Especially if the have Blonde hair and can't speak English that well

;D ;D ;D ;D

DUDE!

I knew a little about your organization, but not nearly enough. Man, you are a Prince!

8-)

Not at all RW, I merely manage a committee that is TOP NOTCH!!!

Each year, we have the lessons from the year before.  My team has made adjustments and such so the ro***s we faced last year won't stump us again.  This is a huge team effort.  

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Muddy- I am working on securing the funding for an event in Pa next year.  I figure if I can take that part of it off your plate, it will be much easier for you to launch a groundbreaking event in Pa.  (or NY, your choice)

Once you get the 1st event under your belt, the 2nd one goes MUCH easier.  People contact you instead of visa versa.  CAST had taught me that this is always how it goes but it wasn't until we started planning this years event that I got to see just how true it is.

Way to go Russ, you do very good work.

Fantastic report and association Russ!  Kudos to you squared young man!!! 8-)

Dan

That's really great, Russ. Really special work that you're doing. You are a model to us all.

Awesome man .... something to be proud of

man, i am totally impressed

to think, rhode island actually has news  

seiriusly.

who da man?

russ da man  

Wow Russ.  I am seriously honored, to be your friend.  

Russ...............

I was Coordinator of a local Dream Factory chapter until my daughter's illness progressed to the point that we were in the hospital more than out......

Nikki loved fishing as much as her mom and loved being able to be a part of something that "normal" kids get to do......I personally know what that feeling is.......to see your child smile after so much pain........You are indeed a very special man......Oh the memories......

We actually met Nik's kidney donor at Camp Rainbow, a camp for seriously ill children  where she was fishing in a tournament ( and won it) dialysis and all.  Scott, Nik's donor was from Dallas TX.  So it doesn't just touch the kids and their families......it is so far reaching.......

Nik had many smiles fishing......to get thru tough procedures, draining of fluid from her lungs, tapping her belly to drain fluid, central line placements.........all without pain meds...we talked about "Murphy".  Murphy was the largest bass in KY lake she always dreamed of catching....

I could go on forever about the great things your doing.....but instead....I'll just say THANKS!

.we talked about "Murphy".  Murphy was the largest bass in KY lake she always dreamed of catching....

Somehow I just Know that there is huge replica mount of a giant bass hanging right outside niks bedroom in heaven.  

The name plate says

MURPHY

caught and released by

NIKKI

with a big assist from her mom

Well, today is the day, and I can't think of a better way to start it than with a tribute to Nik.  Todays event, and all the ones I hold from now on are in memory of Nikki.  Deb sent me this picture, it's one I plan to use as the headline shot for some CAST things I have planned.  It has been my screensaver this week and I can't look at it and not be moved, I just love it.

Today is for you Nik

Russ,

You are nothing but a CLASS ACT in every way I have come to know you. Keep up the good work and deeds.....if the world only had more folks like you!

thats awsome in helping the kids like that. thats the best way to promote our sport that we love so much is by helping and teaching those kids to catch fish.

I know the kids are glad to have Russ on their side. The whole C.A.S.T. organization is a special thing.....and thanks for representing so well Russ.

I don't post much but this is a very moving thread...that picture blew me away...way to get it done Russ and Deb my thoughts are with you today and every day

Now that I've cried for the last hour........ok there's tears still dripping down my cheeks......but they are happy tears.........

Nik would love the tribute....She was all about living in whatever capacity possible....If it was fishing or thinging about fishing she made the best of every day.  I try, sometimes its so hard.

Please guys......please don't feel sorry for me.  I have been very blessed in my life.  I have two wonderful sons I'm very proud of.  I live on Ky Lake.  I have the wonderful friendship and support of you guys.......but mostly, I was given Nikki for 17 1/2 yrs.  I'm the only one in the world that can say that.......I was chosen to be Nik's mom, Jason's mom, and Justin's mom.  What a gift......

Thanks so very much Russ.......you are indeed special, I look forward to meeting in person someday......                

deb

I don't know which to do smile or cry..........maybe both........