Ben and Josh Marcus love to fish. Every day after school, the Westport brothers — honor students at the Bi-Cultural Day School in Stamford — cast their lines, relaxing before starting homework.
Fishing is social, recreational — and outdoors.
That makes it perfect for children with special needs. Thanks to a national organization — and the Marcus brothers — this past weekend, over 20 local kids discovered the joy of fishing.
And caught their own fish.
Success! Charlie Sanderson lands one!
Catch A Special Thrill– called CAST (get it?!) — is a national non-profit that enriches the lives of special needs kids through fishing. The organization provides them with their own rod and tackle box.
This weekend marked CAST’s first Westport event. Benjamin and Josh helped bring it here.
Their parents, Bonnie and Andrew Marcus, opened their Saugatuck River home. It was a day of fun, food — and fishing.
Sam and Louis Parks
Local fishermen served as one-on-one coaches. CAST director Jeff Barnes — a retired bass pro fisherman — came from Alabama to help Ben and Josh.
Every youngster caught a fish. All were returned to the water.
But they will always keep the photos and memories.
(Sponsors include Iridian Asset Management, Goldberg & Marcus Dental Associates and the Bonnie Marcus Collection. If you love fishing — or know a child who would like to attend next year — email benscuba18@gmaio.com.)
Dylan Curran and friend. (All photos/Bonnie Marcus)