Outdoorsmen Catching the Dream and the
Vision
By Mark Wallace
Allowing a child the opportunity to step out of a cold hospital room and take
a break from needles, tubes and tests, and spend time in the outdoors fulfilling
a dream is the vision of the Catch-A-Dream organization, "A program for youth
with precious little time to lose."
Many of us have, and take for granted, the ability to take a few days off of
work and spend time in the field doing just what we love to do. God has truly
blessed many of us in this way, and he expects us to bless others who are not as
fortunate. The folks at Catch-A-Dream take these blessings and pass them on.
Catch-A-Dream was founded by a man with a specific vision to help terminally
ill children achieve their dream of catching that big fish, harvesting that
certain big game animal, or just getting outdoors and enjoying what God has
given us. Bruce Brady, native Mississippian and noted outdoor writer and
sculptor, was that man.
When battling cancer, Bruce drew strength and hope from his beloved outdoor
experiences. During his last days, he was deeply concerned that the world’s
largest children’s wish-granting organization had established national policy
that created a glaring gap in its service to qualifying children. Thus, one
segment of the qualifying child population would no longer be able to realize
their greatest dream - a dream that Bruce and countless outdoorsmen considered
worthy and appropriate. He envisioned a program that would fill this service gap
and provide life-changing outdoor experiences for terminally ill children.
Bruce Brady passed away in February of 2000, but he instilled in his family
and friends the vision of Catch-A-Dream. That dream lives on today through his
passion.
On each trip, the children and the family members who accompany them are
surrounded by outdoors-minded people who understand that these children are
often “...sick and tired of being sick and tired!” A designated
Catch-A-Dream host accompanies each family, and together with outfitters and
local volunteers, facilitates their dream experience. They love and nurture them
through the strong personal relationships that inevitably are forged in the
lodge, on the stream or in the woods. Hosts and volunteers often become their
best friends, and remain a part of their families long after the dream trip has
concluded. As one volunteer eloquently stated, “We can’t change the whole
world; but we can change someone’s whole world for at least a short
period!” Many parents have confirmed that the mission is consistently
accomplished!
Employees from Coast Electric Power Association in Gulfport, Mississippi took
on the vision and enlisted local outdoorsmen and women to help raise funds for
Bruce’s kids. The employees came up with the Touchstone Energy field trial,
which was a hit. The trial has been successful for several years, and in 2004,
with the help of CKC and Profile, the trial netted a record amount.
When asked about the field trial, Dr. Marty Brunson, Executive Director of
CAD noted, “It is the perfect fit and we are so pleased that these good
people have chosen Catch-A-Dream to bless with all their hard work.”
The field trial was held at the Southern Fox Hunters Pen in McNeill, Ms., and
with help from CKC, Profile and other local vendors and sponsors, the event
raised, in the fourth year, an unbelievable $10,000 for Catch-A-Dream.
With the funds raised in the 2004 trial, Coast Electric Power Association
became one of the first gold and platinum members of the Dream Makers Club. The
monies raised have already been put to use and fulfilled several young folks’
dreams.
With big hitters like CKC, Profile, Mossy Oak, Wal-Mart and people like the
employees of Coast Electric Power Association, the vision of Catch-A-Dream and
Bruce Brady will live on in the lives of youths in America and Canada.
For information on how you can get involved, go to www.catchadream.org.