Organizers say more children with special needs want to participate this year, but they need more volunteer captains to help make it happen.<\/p>\n
ROCKPORT, Texas \u2014 More children with special needs could get the chance to spend a day fishing on the Texas coast, but organizers say they need more volunteer boat captains to make it happen.<\/p>\n
C.A.S.T. for Kids is seeking volunteers for its annual fishing event on Aug. 1 in Rockport. The nonprofit pairs volunteer captains with children with special needs, allowing them to experience a day on the water, many for the very first time.<\/p>\n
Volunteer captain\u00a0George Orsak, who has participated in the event for the past three years, said the experience is one he looks forward to every year.<\/p>\n
“Just seeing one of the young people catch a fish. It may be their first fish,” Orsak said. “It’s just being a part of that core memory.” This year marks the eighth year the event has been held in Rockport, and organizers say interest has grown.<\/p>\n
They say more children have signed up to participate than ever before, but they need additional captains to ensure every child gets the chance to fish.<\/p>\n
Anyone with a boat who wants to help is encouraged to sign up through the Cast for Kids Rockport-Beach program. Orsak said volunteering is simple because many of the event’s expenses are already covered.<\/p>\n
“Just go to the Cast for Kids Rockport-Beach website and sign up to be a captain,” he said.<\/p>\n
Organizers said volunteer captains donate their time, while bait\u00a0is provided.\u00a0Every child also receives a fishing rod and reel,\u00a0tackle\u00a0box,\u00a0hat,\u00a0T-shirt\u00a0and\u00a0lunch.<\/p>\n
“Some of them get to leave with some fish to take home,” Orsak said. Last year, Cast for Kids hosted 105 events across the country, including four in the Coastal Bend.<\/p>\n