Perspectives
by Dr. Marty Brunson, CEO
It’s a reflective time of year. The days leading up to Christmas, and then springing into a new year, bring both anticipations and anxieties but, always, also opportunities for reflection. It’s been a great year for Catch-A-Dream. We are blessed not only with the opportunity to extend a message of Christian HOPE to children (and their families) who face life-threatening medical conditions, but also with friends and supporters in all sectors of our communities, across North America and beyond. And it is with the help of those friends and supporters that we are able to stay on our singular mission and deliver encouragement and hope to hurting families through hunting and fishing adventures.
2016 has been a busy year, and milestones have been reached in many aspects. It is, in fact, a little mind boggling to consider the breadth of activities, opportunities, and accomplishments with which we’ve been blessed! Our Friends of Catch-A-Dream program has been exceptionally active and successful, with grass-roots efforts generating resources and awareness at the local level in many states. To try to list them all here would do injustice to some as, invariably, one or more may not come immediately to mind; but each and every Friends committee, local organization, school or church group, fishing or archery tournament committee, or any of many “loosely banded supporters who want to help make a difference” with which we have the privilege to work is valued and cherished. We see the real “fabric of America” at work in these groups, large and small, who passionately go about helping us extend the message of HOPE that encompasses our entire mission and vision. And for that we are grateful and immeasurably humbled.
Late last year we welcomed a new staff member and he has "earned his stripes" in this first full year! It's been a year of growth and development as he and Brian have both assumed new roles in our Program. You'll hear more from Spencer in his new column titled FROG Talk.
Behind the scenes we’ve worked hard to totally revamp our webpage to ensure that it is responsive to mobile devices and, thus, available and efficient for all users with displays of any size. We’ve
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adopted a new “look” and added newfeatures to make the webpage more dynamic, current and even interactive. We hope you’ll like it! And, we’ve added an Instagram page to complement our Facebook page where we seek to provide images to keep our friends and families tuned in to what is happening with Catch-A-Dream.
But most importantly, we’ve stayed on our mission and concentrated our greatest intensity and focus toward delivery of outstanding child/family hunting and fishing experiences through which these children can glean that message of HOPE that we seek to share. We’ve just completed child trip number 45 for the year 2016; that’s 45 children and families who have experienced what we call “The Catch-A-Dream Way” in the context of a hunting or fishing adventure. To really appreciate the magnitude of the year, we can dissect the numbers a little.
So, as you close out your year, and then open a new one, we hope that you’ll take time to reflect as well. Take time to appreciate the ways that He has worked and provided in your own lives, families, business and endeavors. As you consider Christmas giving, or year-end donations, we hope that you’ll consider us. We pledge to be good stewards of the resources with which you provide us. And there are many, creative ways to give, some of which don’t even cost you! Programs like Amazon Smile, Kroger Rewards and GoodSearch actually make donations on your behalf. Many companies have matching gift programs where they will match an employee’s monetary donation, while others will make donations based upon an employee’s volunteer service hours.
We rejoice in the success and prosperity The Lord has brought Catch-A-Dream this year, and look forward to what He has in store for 2017. We are thankful that he has decorated our tapestry with friends like you, and we sincerely wish to each and every one of our friends a very Merry Christmas season and a prosperous and Happy New Year!
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Friends & Family
by Ann Kurtz
Through a friend we heard of this organization that offers kids with life threatening illnesses an opportunity to go fishing or hunting. Nathanael read about Catch-A-Dream and he knew he wanted to go hunting; it didn't even matter what he would hunt! He just seemed to have a strong desire to experience a hunt. We are not a big hunting family; none of us had ever been, nor been exposed to it. This only made Nathanael want to do it more. When his trip was granted he couldn't contain his excitement! Sadly we had to pass on the first opportunity as it just wasn't the right timing for our family. When we finally arranged the trip this year we were all very excited to experience something different: a dream hunting and fishing trip.
In September our family had the privilege of going on Nathanael's dream hunting trip. I will start by saying when we left home we prepared as a family to be “open” and ready to enjoy a new experience together, not knowing what to expect. We knew hunting would be involved, yet this trip was so much more. Catch-A-Dream really offers something truly special aside from hunting and fishing. The ranch where we were guests offered us not just its beauty and animals, it gave us the time to just enjoy and let go. Our daughter, Naomi, loved swimming in the cold creek so much it was hard to get her out. Our small son, Samuel, as it turns out is quite the fisherman as long as you stand clear! From the moment we arrived our host, the volunteers and members of
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Catch-A-Dream loved on and cared for us with servants’ hearts. Each and every person our family came in contact with was there for us. Sometimes my little Samuel is exceptionally busy and some perceive this as a negative trait; however I witnessed many just step in and encourage him to just keep “living out loud” as he does best and help me guide him when needed. That made my heart sing.
We were in southern Missouri to hunt white-tailed deer. Nathanael was not successful on the first few times they all went out, and he was discouraged a bit, but in my heart I felt this enhanced his experience, giving him more of an understanding of the process. On his very last outing he got his deer. Catch-A-Dream and Little Flat Creek Ranch showed us God's love, and in just a few short days we experienced something that will not be forgotten. Each of my children were sad when we left. It was the people; they miss them even today after we have been home for a month.
Our family has been through so much, and this trip was a dream for me; one I never knew I needed. It brings me to tears knowing how loved we are! I appreciate certain others’ opinions and views about hunting, but I ask you to keep any negative comments to yourself.
Nathanael's mounted deer came today and he is thrilled! Thank you to Catch-A-Dream and all those that made this trip possible for Nathanael and our family.
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Chisholm Trails
by Brian Chisholm
What is time? Time is that thing that we all say we “don’t have enough of’, or are “running out of”, or “we just made it in the nick of.” The list is endless. Webster defines time as, “the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues.” With all of the advancements in technology, and our ability to transmit information in milliseconds, time is one of the few things we can do nothing to change. A year consists of 12 months; 52 weeks; 366 days (this year is a leap year;) 8,784 hours; 527,040 minutes; or 31,622,400 seconds. Each and every person living on this earth has this in common, yet we each use it quite differently. As 2016 draws to a close, and we approach the Christmas season, it is important to take stock and see just how we used this precious and fleeting commodity we call time.
In the Bible, Psalm 90 is a prayer of Moses. In verse 12 he says, ”So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
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To number our days requires us to realize that we are only given a short time on this earth, some shorter than others. Therefore, we should make the most of the time we have, not wasting any of our days. To all of our Volunteers and Hosts who chose to use some of their precious time serving, in various capacities with Catch-A-Dream, we are truly grateful for each one of you.
As followers of Christ, we are guaranteed to face tribulations in this world. One of which is, most certainly, getting caught up in what the world calls important and forgetting that we have just a short while to accomplish what the Lord put us here to do. In the end, what really matters is how we lived our lives reflecting the One who bought and paid for that which we could not. As we close out 2016 and step into 2017, may we all take a different perspective and make the most of whatever portion we have of the next 31,622,400 seconds!
Merry Christmas, and God Bless.
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Staff Changes
Our most recent staff addition is Project Manager Spencer Brunson, joining us in late 2015. A native of Starkville, MS, Spencer has watched Catch-A-Dream from its conception, as he was just 11 years old when he accompanied his father, Marty, as a volunteer, on the very first Catch-A-Dream child hunt way back in 2001. He has literally seen Catch-A-Dream develop from the “inside out” and understands the fabric from which our Program is made. Spencer holds degrees in Psychology and Homeland Security from Mississippi College, where he also starred on the baseball diamond, and brings a wealth of experience in child development and behavior after serving in childrens’ program at the Clinton YMCA and Morrison Heights Baptist Church in Clinton, MS. He married his college sweetheart, Erin Tarver, this past Spring, and they reside in Starkville. Spencer is a great complement to our very talented and dedicated staff.
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FROG Talk
by Spencer Brunson
The majority of us have the daily struggle of getting out of bed and getting ready for work. Often times we take for granted the small luxuries that a healthy life affords us. Over the past year-plus, since joining the staff here at Catch-A-Dream, I have worked with numerous families with sick and dying children. What a humbling experience. I think about one of our Junior Partners, Rhett, who was battling a relapsed brain tumor at the time of his trip in September 2015. He was featured in a television special on Nickelodeon called, “Before I Go…Living with Dying.” Rhett, like many others, chose to live out the remainder of his short life away from a hospital and without further treatment. The joy and happiness that he brought to any room he entered was unmistakable. He knew what was ahead of him, yet he never let it stop him from being happy and being a joy to others.
Each family we serve has their own story. But, there is one thing that the majority of these children have in common; they are happy. Even though many of them are going through unimaginable pain and an uncertain future, they keep a positive attitude and leave an imprint on every person they come into contact with. They bring joy into the lives of those around them. They inspire. Shouldn’t we all live life every day like this?
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Just like Rhett, we too, are living with dying. The only difference is that Rhett knew that he didn’t have long. Each and every one of us will one day pass away. Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
Rhett passed away on March 13, 2016, but his life continues to be an inspiration to many. So, what are you doing with your time to make difference?
Thank you to all of you who help Catch-A-Dream share the message of Hope found in Isaiah 40:30-31. I pray that each of you will bring joy to the lives around you. I pray that you will inspire. One day, our bodies will fail and we will cease to exist, but as Psalm 136 tells us, “His Love endures forever.”
FROG - Fully Rely on God
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Board of Directors Update
In 2016 we welcomed two new Board Members. Matt Mooney joined the Board in January, and Mike Hainsey was recently elected to begin a term in January 2017. A review of our Board Membership reveals quite an impressive cadre of leadership for our Foundation!
LIFE MEMBERS:
- Mrs. Peggy Pierce of Huntsville, AL
- Reverend Bruce Brady, Jr.,
BSU Director, Copiah-Lincoln
Community College - Brookhaven, MS
- Mr. Jimmy Bullock, Senior VP,
Forest Sustainability, Resource
Management Service, LLC - Birmingham, AL
- Mr. Darrell Daigre, President, Savvy Homes, Inc. - Raleigh, NC
- Dr. Marty Brunson, - Starkville, MS
(CEO)
TERM MEMBERS
(Terms expire mm/yy):
- Mr. Philip Barrett, Vice President of Finance, Chic-fil-A - Atlanta, GA
(12/18)
- Mr. Harry Dendy, Legislative Consultant; Treasurer for Togo Land Company, LLC - Jackson, MS
(12/17)
- Mr. Bill Sugg, President, Mossy Oak
West Point, MS
(12/20)
- Mr. Johnny Morris, Founder, Bass Pro
Shops - Springfield, MO
(12/19)
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ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
(Four year terms expire mm/yy):
- Mr. Cliff Covington, Wildlife Specialist
Mississippi State University Extension Service - Vicksburg, MS
(12/19)
- Mr. Matt Mooney, Vice President and Managing Director of Parkway Properties, Inc. -Tempe, AZ
(12/20)
- Mr. Sammy Slaughter, President,
Regions Bank - Starkville, MS
(12/19)
- Mr. Mike Hainsey, Executive Director, Golden Triangle Regional Airport - Columbus, MS
(12/21)
Office Staff
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