In the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Riverside Homebuilders takes immense pride in being so much more than just trusted homebuilders—we are dedicated community partners committed to making a positive impact. From one end of the metroplex to the next, we make it our mission to give back to the communities we serve, and one of our recent endeavors that truly touched our hearts was our involvement in the C.A.S.T. for Kids event at Lake Weatherford. An incredible day filled with rewarding experiences and unparalleled joy, this event exemplified our unwavering commitment to our mission—which goes far beyond building new homes in DFW. 

We had the privilege to speak with Stacy Philbrick, our esteemed Community Sales Manager at Crystal Springs Estates in Alvarado, and Landon Martin, an amazing Event Coordinator and Foundation Ambassador for C.A.S.T. for Kids, to delve into the inspiring story of this event and its profound significance.

About C.A.S.T. for Kids: Empowering Special Needs Children Through Fishing

C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation, short for Catch A Special Thrill, is a charitable organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children with special needs. Through the sport of fishing, they empower these children, support their families and strengthen communities. The foundation organizes events where special needs children, typically aged 6-18, along with their caretakers and families, join volunteers for a day of fishing in the great outdoors. The events provide a refreshing break from their daily challenges and spread a powerful message—kids with disabilities can achieve anything. Riverside Homebuilders recognized the significance of this mission and became an integral part of the initiative by sponsoring an event in coordination with Landon Martin.

“I got in contact with Riverside Homebuilders when an employee of theirs was a C.A.S.T. for Kids boat captain, and ever since, we’ve been in touch with them and have maintained a great partnership. They reached out to me to host this event, and it was truly incredible,” Landon said. “My wife and I have been hosting events for C.A.S.T. for Kids for six years, and in these six years, Riverside is the only homebuilder who has ever partnered with us. They’ve been outstanding, through and through, and it’s just a testament to how giving they are. To them, what they do is bigger than building homes, and it shows.”

The Riverside C.A.S.T. for Kids Event: A Day of Joy and Inclusivity

The event held on Saturday, October 21, at Lake Weatherford, was a testament to the power of unity and compassion. Riverside Homebuilders sponsored the event, allowing over a hundred kids—some from as far as Oklahoma—to experience the joy of fishing. Stacy Philbrick, whose son Zachary participated, shared her heartfelt experience. 

“My son, Zachary, is a survivor of shaken baby syndrome and has a permanent brain injury. We have not been able to do many things so far due to his disability, and the fact that this event exists—and that Riverside was front and center willing to help support and provide for kids like Zachary—I believe speaks volumes about this company,” Stacy said. 

“The best part was watching Zachary smile every time our boat captain, Robert, would go fast. Robert is one of our area construction managers, and he was so wonderful with Zachary. He listened to him and did everything he could to make sure Zachary had a wonderful time and was comfortable,” Stacy explained. “We had breakfast, and the kids received a free tackle box, life vest, fishing pole and goodie bag. Then, we met with our boat captain and went out on the water, which was so much fun. After that, we came back and enjoyed a lunch that was provided for us, followed by an awards ceremony where every kid got a plaque.” 

Riverside Homebuilders’ Dedication to Community Involvement

Riverside Homebuilders believes in actively contributing to the communities we are a part of. Stacy emphasized our long-standing commitment, saying, “Riverside has always given back to the community.” Members of our team, with their enthusiastic spirits and compassionate hearts, volunteered at the event, making a significant impact on the participants. 

Landon also attested to this, saying, “As far as the support from Riverside goes, everything is voluntary and we have to raise our own funding, and we could not host events without the participation and sponsorship of these great companies like Riverside. From fishing rods to merchandise and everything in between, we rely on sponsors. At this event, Riverside not only had so many employees volunteer, but they also sponsored all of the deliverables, and it was just wonderful to see everyone come together and be a part of something so impactful and important.”

Leaving a Lasting Impact

C.A.S.T. for Kids events offer special needs children a chance to be celebrated, embraced and welcomed with open arms. For us at Riverside Homebuilders, witnessing the smiles on the children's faces and creating moments of pure happiness were invaluable. Through active participation and heartfelt sponsorship, we not only provided financial support—but also created cherished memories for countless families. 

“At these events, family members are welcome and everyone has a great time—and, most importantly, these kids are granted an opportunity to come out and be just like everyone else and feel a sense of normalcy. They get to come out and just be a fisherman, even if only for half a day. We give these kids the opportunity to stand up in front and be photographed, listened to and celebrated. But, what we give to these children is nothing in comparison to what they give back to us. It’s a life-changing thing, and I’m so happy a large homebuilder like Riverside took part in this,” Landon explained. 

“Additionally, there are a lot of families hesitant to come to events like this, because they don’t want their kids to be judged and want them to be safe. I want to say that, after every event I’ve ever been to, they all come up with smiles on their faces and memories made and say, “I’ll be back”—and that, above all, makes it so rewarding. At this event in particular, Riverside truly fit right in and mirrored our mission and what we stand for. It was fantastic, and if every company were as giving and caring as Riverside, the world would undoubtedly be a much brighter place. Riverside's genuine dedication to making a difference sets an inspiring example for others to follow,” said Landon.

Riverside Homebuilders, with our unwavering commitment to uplifting communities and fostering inclusivity, is proud to stand as a beacon of hope and compassion. As we continue to build homes, we are also building a legacy of kindness, leaving an indelible mark on the lives we touch. Join us as we strive to make a positive impact, one community at a time—to learn more about C.A.S.T. for Kids, donate to their cause or find out more about an event near you, visit https://castforkids.org/. For any questions about Riverside Homebuilders or our new homes in DFW, give us a call at (817) 601-6230 or contact us online today.