860th AMXS helps kids go fish

  • Published
  • By Maj. Elizabeth Clay
  • 860th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  For the second consecutive year, members of the 860th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron participated in the Annual Catch a Special Thrill for Kids Fishing Event at Lake Berryessa Oct. 16.

The Bureau of Reclamation, in partnership with the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation and Pleasure Cove Marina, hosted the C.A.S.T. for kids fishing event.

Twenty-eight children were recruited from Big Brothers Big Sisters, Foster Care, Make a Wish Foundation, children's hospitals, school special education departments, CASA and various other family support networks to participate in the event.

Each child, who participated in the event received a fishing pole, tackle box, T-shirt, other prizes and spent the morning fishing on boats captained by local angler volunteers and 860th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron members.

"This is a great opportunity for us to reach out to our community for such a worthy cause," said Master Sgt. Milton Prescott, 860th AMXS C-17 Globemaster III crew chief, who coordinated the event for his unit. "To see the excitement and smiles on the kid's faces makes it all worth it."

For the past two years, Sergeant Prescott has worked hand in hand with the Bureau of Reclamation to ensure this event is a success.

"The experience with the kids was a great time," said Master Sgt. Dan Rommel, 860th AMXS. "I met some great new folks, captained a boat, and learned a little more about fishing with the children."

Members of the 860th AMXS also cooked a free barbecue lunch for all participants, parents and volunteers of the event.

The C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation is a national, non-profit organization whose goal is "to provide disabled or disadvantaged children ages five to 16 with the opportunity to enjoy a quality outdoor recreational experience through the sport of fishing."

"It was so neat to see the joy on the kid's faces regardless of whether or not they caught a fish," said Mrs. Karen Dyson, 860th AMXS secretary.