Skinny Moose Media Donates Advertising Space to “Hunt of a Lifetime”

by Steve Remington

Update: Marshall MacFarlane, Southwest Marketing Director for U.S. Hunting Today and author of Desert Rat sits on the Arizona Hunt of a Lifetime team as Public Information Officer and got the ball rolling for us to actually make this happen.

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John Stabley, Chief Marketing Director for Skinny Moose Media & U.S. Hunting Today, had an opportunity to interview Tina Pattison, Founder of Hunt of a Lifetime.

“Hunt Of A Lifetime” is a nonprofit organization with a mission to grant hunting & fishing adventures and dreams for children age 21 and under, who have been diagnosed with life threatening illnesses. We are doing what we can to make a difference in their life, a dream come true. Tina has done a remarkable job of bringing smiles to children’s faces and making their dreams come true.

John: How did you come up with the idea of Hunt of a Lifetime Tina?

Tina: Everyone needs something to look forward to, and Matthew Pattison understood that better than most folks his age. The Harborcreek, Pennsylvania, 19-year old succumbed to the ravages of Hodgkin’s disease, but not realizing his dream of hunting moose with his father, Chet.

Matt had hunted with his dad since he was a young boy. And when he was diagnosed with cancer his stepmother, Tina Pattison, began searching for an organization that could grant Matt’s moose hunt aspiration. Sadly, she learned that most organizations that specialize in such good works won’t sponsor hunts because of pressure from animal-rights groups. So she called outfitters and everyone else who would listen, telling her son’s story, trying to find someone who could help.

She was running out of options when, in August 1998, she got a call from the Wyoming chapter of Safari Outfitters, telling her a Canadian man had agreed to sponsor a moose hunt that September for Matt and Chet. What’s more, between the Wyoming group and Clayton Grosso, the Alberta outfitter, all expenses would be covered; airfare, license fees, meat processing and shipping, everything. Matt’s dream came true when, on the first day of his hunt, he bagged a big bull with two shots from his rifle

His success would be an uplifting message in itself, but the story doesn’t end there. Motivated by her own family’s trials during Matt’s illness, Tina Pattison has now established a new organization, Hunt of a Lifetime, that grants hunting and fishing trips to seriously ill children.

To her, it just seemed like the right thing to do, really, “trying to keep all that going. I don’t ever want to see another mother go through the channels I had to go through. I want it to be a simple phone call, ” she says.

Hunt of a Lifetime is a fully chartered, nonprofit organization, ready to accept any support that would make other youngsters’ dreams come true. Tina has experience in such matters, too. She’s the Erie County, Pennsylvania, Special Olympics fundraising coordinator. She’s established a trust fund and is seeking donations of money, outfitting services, frequent flyer miles, anything that might help. “We’re looking for everything.” Tina says. “Right now my biggest concern is airplane tickets.” The organization could use a new computer, too, she says; one with lots of memory and a CD drive. The old family PC simply won’t cut it, anymore.

John: How long have you been donating your time to the program?

Tina: 8 Years now

John: What can other people do to help Hunt of a Lifetime?

Tina: Outfitting, fishing guide, frequent flyer miles, volunteering & fundraising.

John- Has it been to difficult to find sponsors and outfitters?

Tina- No, once we get the media to write or publish our story’s or video’s on TV.

John: It has to be an amazing feeling to make a child’s dream come true. Can you share one experience with us?

Tina: Matt Riley our first kid.

Reflecting gratitude in God’s blessings, Roger Davenport and his wife Sue invited a 14-year-old boy suffering from brain cancer to hunt at their game preserve south of Three Lakes. Perfect conditions led to a perfect shot for Matthew Riley of Cedar Grove last Saturday, granting a perfect wish.

Davenport, owner-manager of the preserve, led Matthew and his father, Richard, into a deer blind set up for a south wind.
It turned out to be perfect,” said Davenport. “Four mature eight-point bucks came in from the south and Matthew took a shot at the leader, but missed. As it turned out, another buck stood in a semi-protected area, which worked out perfectly. Matt hit him just behind the left shoulder and he dropped.

Children facing life-threatening illnesses often make special requests to spend a day at Disney or some other fantasy.
Organizations such as the Make-a-Wish Foundation helps those children achieve their last wish. But for children who want to go hunting or fishing, this organization is unable to help, according to Tina Pattison of “Hunt of a Lifetime,” an organization based in Pennsylvania.

Matthew was diagnosed with brain cancer recently and has undergone surgery as well as chemotherapy. Richard Riley, Matt’s father, told a friend at church of Matt’s wish to go hunting. The friend contacted Pattison who made arrangements with Davenport. When we were asked if we’d be willing to participate in this project, we felt this would be an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the many blessings we’ve received since we opened this place,” said Davenport.

Davenport agreed to waive the usual fee of $2,800 and Jim Wendt, a taxidermist in Sayner, has agreed to mount the deer at no cost. He also plans to provide a special hunt next year for disabled hunters and he said he will participate in Hunt of a Lifetime again. Three Lakes Preserve is located at 5807 Branham Road, south of Three Lakes. The reason is because he is our first & carry’s the name of my son who this is in memory of.

John: How can someone become a State Ambassador or volunteer.

Tina: They must fill out a questionnaire, references must be impeccable & we will get them going from there.

John: Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule for me.

Tina: God Bless Tina

Skinny Moose Media & U. S. Hunting Today has donated $14,000 worth of Advertising Space throughout our entire online network to Hunt of a Lifetime (HOAL). HOAL ads will appear on all forums, blogs and on the e-magazine.

John Stabley, Chief Marketing Director of Skinny Moose Media/U.S. Hunting Today stated…

“This is an Outstanding Program. I am proud to do what ever I can to help HOAL in any capacity. I hope that others in the outdoor industry will follow suit. In fact, I challenge them to!”

John spoke to Steve Remington, President of Skinny Moose Media/ U.S. Hunting Today about donating a National Advertising Package to HOAL. He was all for it. Steve said…

“I would be proud to be associated with such an organization as Hunt of a Lifetime. They are a noble organization, and I look forward to a long lasting relationship with them.”

“Hunt Of A Lifetime” is a nonprofit organization with a mission to grant hunting & fishing adventures and dreams for children age 21 and under, who have been diagnosed with life threatening illnesses. We are doing what we can to make a difference in their life, a dream come true. Please visit Hunt of a Lifetime at http://www.huntofalifetime.org