Perspectives

“And so, this is Christmas, and what have you done?”  Driving to work this morning I heard these words in the old John Lennon classic and am reminded that it’s once again time to reflect back, and then to look forward, here at Catch-A-Dream.  On my daily drive to rural Oktibbeha County where our office is nestled between the vast Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge and the 10,000 acre John Starr Memorial Forest and Wildlife Management area, there is ample opportunity to reflect.  I have the daily privilege of exchanging the bustle, traffic and noise of a busy university town for the majestic pines and hardwoods of “the Refuge;” the almost certain sighting of white-tailed deer; the occasional gobbler, or hen and poults; or perhaps, on a summer day, a canebrake rattler crossing somewhere along the two and a half miles of gravel road to our gate.  As I pull up to our gate, often the first to arrive and thus the one to turn the key and “open” Catch-A-Dream for the day, I sometimes stop in awe of the view through my windshield.  Wow!  This thing called Catch-A-Dream is almost 18 years old and has made a lasting difference in thousands and thousands of lives.  And I … I … I “get” to OPEN THE GATE!!  I don’t HAVE to open the gate;  I GET to open the gate! What a gift, and a privilege, any time of the year!

We are blessed to “open our gate” year around, extending a message of Christian HOPE to children (and their families) who face life-threatening medical conditions.  We are also richly blessed 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.

What an amazing year it has been!

• We celebrated our 600^th child trip, and that number continues to climb! 
• We involved new Outfitter Partners and re-kindled old outfitter partnerships.
• We were humbled and excited as one of our outfitter partners, Little Flat Creek Ranches, LLC,  announced the dedication of their entire ranch exclusively to fulfillment of our mission! 
• We built new relationships with sponsors, state agencies and supporters. 
• We were honored to be on-stage alongside all the major conservation organizations in the country as our friend Johnny Morris, and Bass Pro Shops, cut the ribbon on the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, MO. 
• We saw new records set at many of our Friends of Catch-A-Dream program events, generating resources and awareness at the grassroots level in many states.  New “Friends” entities emerged with an immediate impact such as The Fox Hole Shootout, and M.O.S.T. (Men of St. Timothy’s) while many, including Southern Traditional Archery Association, MS Sportsmen for Catch-A-Dream Foundation, North Alabama Archery Association, Yazoo County Wildlife Association, Valley View Hunt Club, Zion Hill Free Will Baptist Church,Morning Star Bowhunters, Central Arkansas Archery Association, celebrated 10 or more years, and recently, the Marshall County Forestry Association reached the 15 year mark  of partnership and support of our mission.
• Perennial Dream Makers continued to support Catch-A-Dream in a unique and quite significant fashion, and we welcomed many new Dream Makers into “The Dream Maker Club!”  This is a special group of people who, through a tax-deductible cash contribution of $4,500 or more, have each become the uniquely designated sponsor for one of our very special Catch-A-Dream children. This $4,500 contribution covers our average out-of-pocket expense for a child’s adventure.

2017

• 31 Boys and 6 girls
• 23 Hunting Trips and 14 fishing trips
• Children from 19 different states
• Adventures occurred in 8 different states, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean

Chisholm Trails
by Brian Chisholm

I grew up having the unique privilege of sharing a birthday with my maternal-grandfather.  He was born in 1914, and I in 1977. He had a 63 year head start on me, and he has been gone from this earth now for just over seventeen years, but he left an indelible mark on my life in the twenty-two years I was blessed to know him.  He taught me many things about life, the outdoors, and walking with the Lord, though he seldom addressed any of these directly. He taught me many life lessons simply by the way he lived his life. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, we all leave marks on the people with whom we come in contact throughout our lives.  Our influence is not limited only to those we are directly charged with teaching and/or training, like our children, co-workers, employees, and friends.

We have all heard the phrase, “somebody is always watching,” but we, too often, file that phrase under the category of not getting “caught” doing something “wrong,” rather than getting “caught” doing something “right.”  Unfortunately, in today’s technologically advanced society, it is difficult to do anything without someone “catching” it on a smartphone or other micro-recording device and using it to highlight someone’s faults in order to disseminate negativity, instead of using it for good.  I fear this is something that we cannot change, and is certainly likely to get

worse.  However, what we can change is our awareness of just how influential we are to those around us.  Being mindful of who we are in Christ, and of the fact that it is He whom we serve, we can rest easy knowing that His Spirit is living in us and working in us “…to will and to work for His good pleasure.” For we are to “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you (we) may be blameless and innocent, children of God in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” (Philippians 2:14-15) 

For me, the not grumbling or disputing part is easier said than done, but when I realize that I am to be a light in this world, my perspective changes and it becomes much easier to focus on getting caught doing something right, as opposed to grumbling about how wrong everything is.  Regardless of who or where you are, you can all serve as lights in the lives of the people you come in contact with every day. We here at the Catch-A-Dream Foundation are truly grateful for each and every one of you. Many of you have made a mark in my life as well, and for that I would like to say, Thank you!

May the Lord Bless you all this Christmas Season,

FROG Talk

“I did not lose my battle. No one can lose to cancer if they believe in God. It’s that simple. I simply won for an eternity instead of a lifetime.”

Wow. Over a year has passed since these words were written by one of our Junior Partners named Beth, who was facing her final days of life. Each time I read those words, I am reminded how simple life truly is. We all hustle about trying to get to work on time, get kids to school, or meet some other deadline. We become so consumed into the things that MUST be done, that we often lose focus on what really matters. In the grand scheme of things, the one TRUE job that we all have is to “Make Disciples.” (Matthew 28:19). However, often, I fail at this daily job. If I were to be given a grade, it would likely look something like my CHEM I and CHEM II grades my freshman year of college…D for DISMAL.

It’s easy to take for granted what we all have. The one thing most of us overlook daily is our health. In the past year, our Catch-A-Dream family has endured many losses. We’ve lost Junior Partners, Volunteer Hosts, close Friends of Catch-A-Dream, and close personal family. Looking forward, there will be more losses to come, as that is a fact of Life. We find peace in knowing that there is indeed something greater in store for all of us, if we indeed are willing to accept it. During this Christmas season, let’s not forget where our Hope comes from. Share with others WHO that Hope comes from. Be a Disciple. Make an eternal impact, not just a lifetime impact.

It is my prayer that when my time comes, I will also be able to look back and say, “I simply won for an eternity instead of a lifetime.”

Thank you to all of you who have helped Catch-A-Dream directly impact 37 different children and families in 2017. We could not do this without all of you and your support.

Merry Christmas!
FROG- Fully Rely On God

From the Field

have come to call “The Vision!” Many people have caught and embraced the Catch-A-Dream “Vision” and have become passionate about helping us continue to serve a very special group of children and families across the US and Canada.

Registration in the “Friends” program affords benefits to local efforts on our behalf, including:

• Increased legitimacy in the eyes of the supporting public.
• Added public confidence at the local level and enhanced fundraising efficiency.
• Official listing in our “Friends” registry.
• Sanction as an official “Friends of Catch-A-Dream” committee.
•  Authorization to use our name and indicia in marketing your “Friends” project.
•  Authorization to access special product purchase programs to support your raffles, auctions, etc.

To receive the maximum benefit and official sanction by Catch-A-Dream, including access to logos, promo­tional materials and special purchase programs, registration is required. For more information, contact us or browse the Friends section on our webpage.

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.

Board of Directors Update

• Reverend Bruce Brady, Jr., BSU Director, Copiah-Lincoln Community College
  - Brookhaven, MS
• Dr. Marty Brunson, (CEO)
  - Starkville, MS
• Mr. Jimmy Bullock, Senior VP, Forest Sustainability, Resource Management Service, LLC
  - Birmingham, AL
• Mr. Darrell Daigre, President, Savvy Homes, Inc.
  - Raleigh, NC
• Mr. Matt Mooney, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Phoenix Market of Cousins Properties - Phoenix, AZ

Office Staff

• Dr. Marty Brunson
  CEO
• Mr. Brian Chisholm
  Operations Manager
• Mr. Spencer Brunson
  Project Manager

• Ms. Suzanne Brown Golson
  Administrative Assistant
• Ms. Piper Free
  Graphic Design | Media Assistant