B.A.S.S. and the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation are accepting nominations for their annual humanitarian award recognizing the important work being done by many anglers to support fragile populations.
Chris Rambough, of Meridian, Idaho, was honored with the inaugural C.A.S.T. for Kids B.A.S.S. Humanitarian Award for his decades of work with youth programs in his community. C.A.S.T. for Kids national spokesman Clay Dyer presented Rambough with the award during the 2020 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.
Photo by B.A.S.S.
The C.A.S.T. for Kids B.A.S.S. Humanitarian Award will honor one B.A.S.S. member who has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to serving groups such as children with special needs, veterans, abuse survivors or any people who need extra help and support.
“We are proud to collaborate with the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation to honor the many volunteers in both of our organizations who make such a positive impact in their communities,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “While only one person will receive this award, we hope it will spotlight the incredible work being done by so many of our members across the country.”
The inaugural 2020 C.A.S.T. for Kids B.A.S.S. Humanitarian Award recognized Chris Rambough, of Meridian, Idaho, for his deep commitment to encouraging kids of all ability levels to get outdoors. Among Rambough’s accomplishments are personally mentoring kids in his community, creating a youth program for Payette River Bassmasters and two decades of involvement with C.A.S.T. for Kids events for special needs children.
Presenting the award to Rambough onstage during the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk was C.A.S.T. for Kids national spokesman and Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series angler Clay Dyer.
To be considered for the award, a B.A.S.S. member must be nominated by April 30, 2021. Any member doing exemplary community service will be considered. The nomination form can be found at bassmaster.com/award.
The Executive Director of the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation is Bassmaster Elite Series pro Jay Yelas, who is one of the most decorated anglers in the sport. After serving on the Foundation’s Board of Directors for 10 years, Yelas took over as Executive Director in 2015.
“The sport of bass fishing is full of folks with big hearts who enjoy serving others; we meet them all the time at C.A.S.T. for Kids events,” said Yelas. “I think it’s significant that the C.A.S.T. for Kids B.A.S.S. Humanitarian Award exists to recognize and show appreciation to those in the B.A.S.S. family who serve their community well.”
Judges from both B.A.S.S. and the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation will review all nominations as well as verify the humanitarian work of the honoree. It is important to note that, while C.A.S.T. for Kids focuses on giving special needs kids fishing opportunities, the nominations are open to B.A.S.S. members doing any form of good work to help a fragile population. The winner will be announced as part of the festivities surrounding June’s Bassmaster Classic in Fort Worth, Texas.
About C.A.S.T. for Kids
The C.A.S.T. for Kids program has been proven to enrich the lives of children with special needs by hosting events that prove children with disabilities can accomplish anything. These events allow them to enjoy a unique fishing and boating event, one where they can leave their cares on shore and feel “normal” for a day. The events have many lasting benefits. The kids feel genuinely loved, valued and accepted by their community, and are celebrated as winners at an awards ceremony. The Foundation has seen tremendous positive improvements in growing their social skills and overcoming behavioral issues through their interactions at events with community volunteers and children of similar disabilities. Encouraging the kids with a team-oriented approach, the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation has enhanced the lives of over 120,000 kids over the last three decades. To learn more, visit castforkids.org.
