Team Olive just returned from a 1736 mile round trip adventure that took us to Victor, Idaho for the 2011 Casting 4 A Cure event. Despite a little road fatigue, the event energized me and I returned more determined than ever to make sure Olive finds her way to the big screen. If she can accomplish that feat, she’ll be able to do more to help kids with Rett Syndrome.
A year and a half ago I was contacted by Bill Farnum, Executive Director of Casting 4 A Cure. Bill invited me to join his organization for one or both of their annual fundraisers. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to make it to either event last year, but I pledged to make it to Victor in 2011. I can’t tell you how privileged I am to have been able to make the trip, and I want to also thank my fishing partner, Mark, for joining me (after all, he was the backbone of Team Olive).
Everyone in attendance was fishing for every child with Rett Syndrome, but Team Olive was specifically representing one little “Angel” whose name is Brooklyn. Brooklyn was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome on May 21st, 2007–just two weeks after her second birthday. We were given a card with Booklyn’s photo and a little bio about her. Here is an exerpt from the card that accompanied us on the water:
“Brooklyn is an amazing little girl; she has a smile that light up the room. Rett Syndrome has taken away many things from this little girl, like crawling, talking and feeding herself, but it has not taken away her loving spirit and infectious giggle. She is our little hero; teaching us about love, joy, patience and perseverance. Our lives are full of love because of her.”
The event brought together 22 teams of anglers to participate in a two day event on the waters of the South Fork of the Snake River. World Cast Anglers provided guides for the event and teams fished different sections of the river each day. Every team recorded their top 4 fish for each day, as well as their total trout landed:
- Compiling the length of the 8 biggest fish per team, 2,686 inches of trout were caught
- The average size of the biggest fish was 16.8″
- The average total number of trout caught per team was 47.04
Team Olive caught 49 total fish and our average biggest size was 16.6″ so we were right around the overall average. We may not have won any trophies but like every other team we emerged victorious. Based on the 49 fish caught by Team Olive, Casting 4 A Cure donated $10 per fish in the name of Brooklyn to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation. Overall, $11,380 was raised in the name of the “Angels” that each team represented. There was more raised beyond just this amount but these dollar amounts accompany the names of all the little girls each team represented and make it very personal and special. For 2011, Casting 4 A Cure has raised over $105,000 for the International Rett Syndrome Foundation.
The cure for Rett Syndrome is close. As Casting 4 A Cure says, every casts gets us closer.
Thanks to Bill Farnum and Jim Copeland for putting on such a great event. Fishing is never without its rewards, but this was special.
Congrats to Team Olive. That’s an awesome win for sure.
Thanks for the write-up Kirk.
Thanks, Matt. Nobody could lose at this event!
Kirk…
Kudos to a job well done…an adventure like no other and an adventure that spreads sunshine and hope over those who may not be able to do so themselves except through their smiles…Thank you…
Nicely said, Kevin. Amen to that, thanks.
Hey Kirk,
Congratulations! What a great cause…and your participation (and Olive’s) deserves much praise. We all get so busy with daily routines, work, etc…it’s hard to make that kind of time…but you did! Kudos!!!
Vivian, it was so worth the small inconvenience of getting there! Fishing is always fun, but this was extra special. Such a great cause, with a cure in sight.
I very nice Act Of Kindness that you did, Olive. Thanks.
Thank you, Wenda!
As the mother of one of these wonderful litle girls this write-up made me cry. Glad Olive could be there and THANKS for supporting such a great cause, what a fantastic event!
Amanda, I had your family in my thoughts this past weekend. Such a great group of folks doing such wonderful work for all the little girls out there with Rett.
Kirk, thanks for the great write up on the Victor event. We are humbled to have such great people like you attend each year. The location and fishing are great, but the people that show up make it second to none. Hope to see Team Olive at future events.
Jim, it’s the quality of everyone that makes the events, and that starts right at the top with you and Bill. Thank you for having us. Team Olive be back next year for sure, and if I can get Robert Redford on board a film project, I may be able to bring two teams 😉