Casting for Kids receives generous donation from Appalachian Wireless

IVEL, Ky. (WSIP) — Appalachian Wireless presented a $37,274 contribution to Casting for Kids following the success of the company’s 19th Annual Appalachian Wireless Charity Golf Scramble. The contribution was made possible through the generosity and participation of businesses, sponsors, vendors, teams, players, and community partners who supported this year’s event.

The contribution represents more than the success of an annual fundraiser. It reflects Appalachian Wireless’ longstanding commitment to investing in the communities it serves and leveraging its relationships and resources to support organizations making a meaningful difference throughout the region.

For Appalachian Wireless CEO Mike Johnson, the opportunity to support Casting for Kids was especially meaningful—not only because of the organization’s impact on children and families, but also because Appalachian Wireless employees could personally invest their time in its mission.

“We couldn’t be more excited to make this contribution to Casting for Kids and support the tremendous work Chris, and his team are doing for children and families across our region,” said Mike Johnson, CEO of Appalachian Wireless. “What makes me equally proud is seeing our own employees working alongside them. Our team was there for the Friday night event and returned the next day, serving wherever they were needed. That’s what community means to us. We don’t just want to financially support great organizations—we want to show up, work beside them, and be part of the difference they’re making.”

Casting for Kids began with a vision to provide children with special needs greater access to the experience and enjoyment of fishing. That vision has grown into an event that now welcomes more than 1,800 children and their families, centered on inclusion, encouragement, family, and hope.

Children attending the event can fish while enjoying food, activities, giveaways, and other experiences made possible by volunteers, businesses, and community partners. At the heart of the event is a greater purpose: creating an environment where children of all abilities can participate, feel valued, and make lasting memories with their families.

For Johnson, seeing the scale of the event and the people behind it reinforced why Casting for Kids was such a meaningful organization to support.

“When you see more than 1,800 kids and their families come together and volunteers working tirelessly to make sure those children have an incredible experience, you understand that this is something special,” Johnson said. “Chris took a passion and turned it into a purpose that now reaches thousands of people. Being able to support that vision and have our employees working right alongside them is something I’m extremely proud of.”

Appalachian Wireless raised the $37,274 contribution through its 19th Annual Charity Golf Scramble. Each year, the event brings together business partners, vendors, customers, teams, and friends to raise funds that can be reinvested in worthy causes throughout the region.

This year’s contribution was made possible through the collective support of those who sponsored the event, entered teams, played, volunteered, donated, and contributed resources.

“At Appalachian Wireless, we believe being part of a community means more than simply doing business there. It means finding meaningful ways to use our relationships and resources to support the people and organizations doing important work throughout our region,” said Kristin Mulcahy, Marketing Manager for Appalachian Wireless. “This $37,274 contribution belongs to every sponsor, vendor, team, player, and partner who supported our golf scramble. We accomplished this together, and we couldn’t be more proud to see that collective effort support an organization like Casting for Kids.”

Mulcahy said many of the relationships with companies and individuals participating in the annual scramble have grown well beyond traditional business partnerships.

“Year after year, these businesses and individuals answer the call,” Mulcahy said. “Many have become more than partners—they’ve become friends. Because of them, we were able to take a great couple of days together and turn them into something that will have an impact far beyond the golf course.”

The partnership also reflects a broader philosophy within Appalachian Wireless: community investment should extend beyond financial support.

Appalachian Wireless employees worked alongside Casting for Kids volunteers during the Friday evening activities. They returned the following day to assist with the main event, helping create the experience for the children and families in attendance.

For Appalachian Wireless, that hands-on involvement extends its role as a locally based company serving Appalachia.

“Financial support matters because organizations need resources to fulfill their missions, but being there matters, too,” Johnson added. “Watching our employees give their time, work late, come back the next day and serve these families made me incredibly proud. That’s the kind of

company we want to be and the kind of relationship we want to have with the communities we serve.”

With 19 years of the Appalachian Wireless Charity Golf Scramble now complete, the company is already looking ahead to the event’s 20th year and another opportunity to build on its community impact.

“$37,274 is something all of us should be proud of because we achieved it together,” Mulcahy said. “After seeing what this group can accomplish when we come together for a worthy cause, I truly believe the sky is the limit for what we can do next.”