Seventeen-year-old AJ Casella has been spending summers enjoying the blue waters of Lake Almanor since he was a week old.
AJ says, "I just get excited every summer to come up here, and to fish, and to spend time on the lake with Mount Lassen behind us."
But this high school senior from Marin County does much more than just spend his days on the water.
Five years ago he decided to give back to his community by organizing a trout fishing tournament on the lake, with all the proceeds going to the Make A Wish Foundation.
AJ says, "last year we paid for a 17-year-old boy to go to the Beijing Olympics, which I thought was awesome."
In its first four years, the tournament has raised over 100 thousand dollars for make a wish... a fact that AJ is very proud of.
AJ says, "I love being able to give these kids something that they can look forward to and something that can help them fight off their treatments."
AJ's Dad, who runs the Big Cove Resort on Lake Almanor, appreciates the impact his son has made.
Gary says, "I think it's one of the most wonderful things that anyone could ever do and it happens to be my son..."
Meeting some of the kids whose wishes he has helped grant has taught AJ valuable life lessons.
AJ says, "it's inspiring and it makes me even more proud of myself and what I'm doing to help these kids, because the battles they go through are crazy and I could never imagine going through anything like what they have to put up with."
AJ writes personal letters to businesses ...and spends countless hours meeting people and collecting donations. hard work for a summer vacation, but the rewards are worth it.
AJ says, "people love it, the whole community gets involved...I'm a star at Make a Wish and it's really fun..I love it.
If you would like to take part in AJ's fish for a wish tournament on August 1st, you can register online at www.weekendsforwishes.org/fishforawish, or call (530) 596-3349.
You can also sign up at the Big Cove Resort on the morning of the tournament.
And if you know a young person who should be featured on our sunday 'Kids In Action', check out our website for information.
