06-16-2004, 06:31 AM
[#cc0000][size 2]This Organization Provides Dream Hunts for Children in Need[/size][/#cc0000][size 1] [/size][font "verdana, geneva, helvetica"][#330066][size 1]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]There are some decisions in life that just don't require deep thought and heavy consideration - and one of those decisions is whether or not to help a child in need. So when a fellow named John Mozingo posted some information in an online forum about a program that grants dream hunts to disabled and terminally ill children, I immediately knew two things: 1) Ken Banaciski of [url "http://hunting.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.slaughterbros.com"][#236eb5]Slaughter Brothers Hog Hunts[/#236eb5][/url] would pitch in by donating hog hunts, and 2) that I would plan to be there to help out during those hunts.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]John himself is one of the adult recipients of the dream hunts that this program provides, and is now a member of the Board of the United Special Sportsmen Alliance (USSA), a nonprofit organization which grants outdoor wishes to disabled and terminally ill children and adults throughout the USA (roughly 90% are kids and 10% are adults). A victim of [url "http://ibscrohns.about.com/cs/faqscd/index.htm"][#236eb5]Crohn's Disease[/#236eb5][/url], John combined his dream hunt with helping a young man achieve his own outdoor dream. This unselfishness seems to be a characteristic shared by everyone involved in this project.[/size][/font] [center]![[Image: john_m_hog_web.jpg]](http://hunting.about.com/library/graphics/john_m_hog_web.jpg)
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]John Mozingo and his Texas Hog.
[size 1]Photo copyright 2003 by USSA[/size][/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]USSA was founded by Brigid O'Donoghue, a vibrant and diverse woman who is no stranger to physical challenges herself. With a history including viral encephalitis, brain surgery, and (more recently) successful cancer surgery, this lady knows that when a doctor's diagnosis is especially dark, the best thing to do is to prove the doctors wrong - which she has done on more than one occasion. [/size][/font] [center]![[Image: brigid_jacket_web.jpg]](http://hunting.about.com/library/graphics/brigid_jacket_web.jpg)
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Brigid O'Donoghue, wearing a jacket of her own design. The fabric features some of the biggest whitetail bucks taken in the wild.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2][size 1]Photo copyright 2003 by USSA[/size][/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]"My life has had many dead ends, twists and turns," Brigid told me in an interview in June, 2003. "I have overcome childhood illnesses, epilepsy, brain surgery, permanent disability, an extremely abusive relationship, no child support, no money and no line of credit![/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]"I’m a single mother of two wonderful children, Lindsey is 15 and Kenny is 13. I love any outdoor sport. I love to hunt, fish, weight lift, run, hike, swim and water ski. I love photography, fashion designing (11 years experience) and traveling.[/size][/font][/center]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]"I grew up in a very large 100% Irish Catholic family with 6 brothers and 2 sisters. One of my brothers is physically and mentally disabled.[/size][/font]
[/center]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]"I founded [url "http://hunting.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.deerfood.com"][#236eb5]Bio-Tec Research, Inc.[/#236eb5][/url], in 1999 and with its success I started donating funding and 50% of my life to charity in 2000 and then later on developed United Special Sportsmen Alliance in 2003.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]"What made it all work was the unbelievable amount of donations from my customers at Bio-Tec Research, Inc. (customers being deer and elk farmers as well as [hunting] property owners).[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]"USSA has grown overnight and now it has become my favorite career because it is the most rewarding thing (besides raising my children) I have ever done![/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]"I’m dealing with terminally ill and disabled children daily, and because of my past health, I am able to stay strong and vibrant. I try to bring joy to families who have lost all hope!" And with the help of many other good folks, she is doing just that.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Up until February of 2003, Brigid's company Bio-Tec Research, Inc. (which manufactures deer and elk foods) covered all incidental expenses related to the dream hunting and fishing trips that were granted to sick and disabled kids. That's when [url "http://hunting.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.northlandcran.com"][#236eb5]Northland Cranberries, Inc.[/#236eb5][/url] came on board to help out, along with [url "http://hunting.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.mathewsinc.com"][#236eb5]Mathews, Inc.[/#236eb5][/url], an archery company well-known to bowhunters. Hunting and fishing trips are all donated and 100% paid for by generous folks like owners of the hunting preserves where many of these dream trips take place. The only costs incurred by the hunters are transportation costs, unless they can't afford it, in which case USSA steps in to help out.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Organizations like USSA are needed because certain high-profile "wish-granting" groups have ceased honoring America's hunting heritage. Says Brigid, "Our nation's terminally ill and disabled children have both physical and emotional mountains to climb. Often, they dream about experiencing our outdoor heritage, but unfortunately many politically correct activist groups have successfully shut the door to these children's dreams in many other fine wish granting charities like 'Make A Wish.' [/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]"United Special Sportsman Alliance (USSA) was created to help fulfill the dreams of those special children that dream about an outdoor fishing or hunting experience. Our outdoor sporting heritage has been part of the nation since its inception, and must continue to thrive in the future. Our nation's great natural beauty should be enjoyed by all Americans including the terminally ill and disabled."[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]During 2002 and the first half of 2003, Brigid's project provided over 150 dream hunts and other outdoor activities for the disabled and terminally ill, and she said that as of June, 2003 she was getting an average of two to three new "clients" per day. Talk about a worthwhile pursuit growing by leaps and bounds - wow![/size][/font] [center]![[Image: dallas_charlene_web.jpg]](http://hunting.about.com/library/graphics/dallas_charlene_web.jpg)
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Young Dallas poses with his porker, along with guide Charlene Long.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2][size 1]Photo copyright 2003 by USSA[/size][/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]If the past and present provide any indication of what USSA will be doing in the future, things are looking up indeed for this worthy endeavor. If you or someone you know would like to help out by sponsoring this project or donating a hunt, please contact USSA (don't forget to tell them you read about them here at About.com'[/size][/font][font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]s Hunting and Shooting site):[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]USSA
[/size][/font][font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]7864 Shotwell Rd.
[/size][/font][font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Pittsville, WI 54466
Phone: (715) 884-2256
Fax: (715) 884-7388
[/size][/font][font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Email: [url "nailto:biotec@tds.net"][#236eb5]biotec@tds.net[/#236eb5][/url]
[url "http://hunting.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.deerfood.com"][#236eb5]http://[/#236eb5][/url][/size][/font][url "http://hunting.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.deerfood.com"][font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][#236eb5][size 2]www.deerfood.com[/size][/#236eb5][/font][/url] [/center][/size][/#330066][/font]
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[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]There are some decisions in life that just don't require deep thought and heavy consideration - and one of those decisions is whether or not to help a child in need. So when a fellow named John Mozingo posted some information in an online forum about a program that grants dream hunts to disabled and terminally ill children, I immediately knew two things: 1) Ken Banaciski of [url "http://hunting.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.slaughterbros.com"][#236eb5]Slaughter Brothers Hog Hunts[/#236eb5][/url] would pitch in by donating hog hunts, and 2) that I would plan to be there to help out during those hunts.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]John himself is one of the adult recipients of the dream hunts that this program provides, and is now a member of the Board of the United Special Sportsmen Alliance (USSA), a nonprofit organization which grants outdoor wishes to disabled and terminally ill children and adults throughout the USA (roughly 90% are kids and 10% are adults). A victim of [url "http://ibscrohns.about.com/cs/faqscd/index.htm"][#236eb5]Crohn's Disease[/#236eb5][/url], John combined his dream hunt with helping a young man achieve his own outdoor dream. This unselfishness seems to be a characteristic shared by everyone involved in this project.[/size][/font] [center]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]John Mozingo and his Texas Hog.
[size 1]Photo copyright 2003 by USSA[/size][/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]USSA was founded by Brigid O'Donoghue, a vibrant and diverse woman who is no stranger to physical challenges herself. With a history including viral encephalitis, brain surgery, and (more recently) successful cancer surgery, this lady knows that when a doctor's diagnosis is especially dark, the best thing to do is to prove the doctors wrong - which she has done on more than one occasion. [/size][/font] [center]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Brigid O'Donoghue, wearing a jacket of her own design. The fabric features some of the biggest whitetail bucks taken in the wild.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2][size 1]Photo copyright 2003 by USSA[/size][/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]"My life has had many dead ends, twists and turns," Brigid told me in an interview in June, 2003. "I have overcome childhood illnesses, epilepsy, brain surgery, permanent disability, an extremely abusive relationship, no child support, no money and no line of credit![/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]"I’m a single mother of two wonderful children, Lindsey is 15 and Kenny is 13. I love any outdoor sport. I love to hunt, fish, weight lift, run, hike, swim and water ski. I love photography, fashion designing (11 years experience) and traveling.[/size][/font][/center]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]"I grew up in a very large 100% Irish Catholic family with 6 brothers and 2 sisters. One of my brothers is physically and mentally disabled.[/size][/font]
[/center]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]"I founded [url "http://hunting.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.deerfood.com"][#236eb5]Bio-Tec Research, Inc.[/#236eb5][/url], in 1999 and with its success I started donating funding and 50% of my life to charity in 2000 and then later on developed United Special Sportsmen Alliance in 2003.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]"What made it all work was the unbelievable amount of donations from my customers at Bio-Tec Research, Inc. (customers being deer and elk farmers as well as [hunting] property owners).[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]"USSA has grown overnight and now it has become my favorite career because it is the most rewarding thing (besides raising my children) I have ever done![/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]"I’m dealing with terminally ill and disabled children daily, and because of my past health, I am able to stay strong and vibrant. I try to bring joy to families who have lost all hope!" And with the help of many other good folks, she is doing just that.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Up until February of 2003, Brigid's company Bio-Tec Research, Inc. (which manufactures deer and elk foods) covered all incidental expenses related to the dream hunting and fishing trips that were granted to sick and disabled kids. That's when [url "http://hunting.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.northlandcran.com"][#236eb5]Northland Cranberries, Inc.[/#236eb5][/url] came on board to help out, along with [url "http://hunting.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.mathewsinc.com"][#236eb5]Mathews, Inc.[/#236eb5][/url], an archery company well-known to bowhunters. Hunting and fishing trips are all donated and 100% paid for by generous folks like owners of the hunting preserves where many of these dream trips take place. The only costs incurred by the hunters are transportation costs, unless they can't afford it, in which case USSA steps in to help out.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Organizations like USSA are needed because certain high-profile "wish-granting" groups have ceased honoring America's hunting heritage. Says Brigid, "Our nation's terminally ill and disabled children have both physical and emotional mountains to climb. Often, they dream about experiencing our outdoor heritage, but unfortunately many politically correct activist groups have successfully shut the door to these children's dreams in many other fine wish granting charities like 'Make A Wish.' [/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]"United Special Sportsman Alliance (USSA) was created to help fulfill the dreams of those special children that dream about an outdoor fishing or hunting experience. Our outdoor sporting heritage has been part of the nation since its inception, and must continue to thrive in the future. Our nation's great natural beauty should be enjoyed by all Americans including the terminally ill and disabled."[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]During 2002 and the first half of 2003, Brigid's project provided over 150 dream hunts and other outdoor activities for the disabled and terminally ill, and she said that as of June, 2003 she was getting an average of two to three new "clients" per day. Talk about a worthwhile pursuit growing by leaps and bounds - wow![/size][/font] [center]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Young Dallas poses with his porker, along with guide Charlene Long.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2][size 1]Photo copyright 2003 by USSA[/size][/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]If the past and present provide any indication of what USSA will be doing in the future, things are looking up indeed for this worthy endeavor. If you or someone you know would like to help out by sponsoring this project or donating a hunt, please contact USSA (don't forget to tell them you read about them here at About.com'[/size][/font][font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]s Hunting and Shooting site):[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]USSA
[/size][/font][font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]7864 Shotwell Rd.
[/size][/font][font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Pittsville, WI 54466
Phone: (715) 884-2256
Fax: (715) 884-7388
[/size][/font][font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 2]Email: [url "nailto:biotec@tds.net"][#236eb5]biotec@tds.net[/#236eb5][/url]
[url "http://hunting.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.deerfood.com"][#236eb5]http://[/#236eb5][/url][/size][/font][url "http://hunting.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.deerfood.com"][font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][#236eb5][size 2]www.deerfood.com[/size][/#236eb5][/font][/url] [/center][/size][/#330066][/font]
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