United Special Sportsman Alliance, Inc. (USSA) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit national wish granting charity that specializes in sending critically ill and disabled youth and disabled veterans on the outdoor adventure of their dreams! USSA adventures give our youth and veterans something to look forward to, and help sustain them in their time of need! Families are whisked away from the mundane, man-made world of hospitals, and high medical bills by giving them a place of peace to focus on the quality of life, family ties, and the wonders of our natural world! USSA is composed of a 100% volunteer staff from all walks of life, bonded together by a common love for our fellow mankind and a deep respect and appreciation of our world's natural resources. By working cooperatively with caring "Adventure" donors as well as generous individual and corporate sponsors, USSA has made a significant impact on the lives of thousands of children, disabled veterans and their families. The public's image of all sportsmen is enhanced, through this valuable community service and new lifelong friendships are made! To learn more about USSA read on.
Amanda Gervais - USSA Humanitarian Committee
 I'm one lucky person to have a fantastic Husband of 14 years and 3 great kids! One of whom has battled and won the fight against Rhabdomyo Sarcoma Cancer 9 years ago. It was a grueling thing for our little family to deal with but we did and are better people now because of it. I used to think that having a job and being successful was what my mission in life should be. Then I became a wife/mother and realized that my priorities needed to change. And Boy did it ever! Hunter was an amazing little boy before and since he was sick. One of the most loving kids you will ever meet. He came into this crazy world after 16 hours of labor. A healthy baby boy. A first for my family since I only have sisters. Hunter was loved by many right away. He was such a great little guy. Never sick, never caused trouble and was always so funny. In 2001 a lump showed up on my baby that we couldn't explain. I took him to the doctor and was told that they just wanted to monitor it for a while and not to worry it could turn out to be nothing but if I wanted it off to let them know. I just couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it. So about 3 days later I decided that I wasn't satisfied with that and wanted it removed. I talked to the doctor's office that referred me to a surgeon, that day. I picked Hunter up from daycare and took him to the Surgeon and was told that he could definitely take that off that Friday. It was so quick that I didn't really have time to stress about it. I didn't understand what the surgeon was trying to tell me at the time but later on did. He knew when he saw it that it was a cancerous lump. It took about 7 days for the results to come back that in fact it was cancer and what kind. We weren't able to have it treated in our own town or state for that matter so we were sent to Salt Lake City, UT Primary Children's Medical Center. They treated us with respect but, at the hospital it seemed like we were just the parents of that (number) cancer kid. Since the hospital specializes in cancer we knew we were in good hands but nothing special about us just being from another state. I was completely lost. I prayed all the way down to SL that Hunter's condition was treatable and that eventually he would be cancer free. Hunter was given 42 weeks of chemotherapy and 20 days of radiation. For the radiation we would need to have done in Utah at the University of Utah Medical Center. I was shocked that I would basically have to move there for what started out as 4 weeks but ended up being 7 due to skin issues with Hunter. Hunter had to be sedated every morning for the 20 second treatments. It was very difficult for him. After what was the longest 7 1/2 Weeks of my life we got to go home. We have been back and forth a lot but main been at home from then on. In our town we were all recognized and treated great by all who dealt with us. There was a benefit for Hunter that just amazed me and lots of people stepped forward to help us. I felt very fortunate and have always wanted to give back for how great we were treated. I really wanted to be a part of something that made a difference to other kids like Hunter. When he heard about USSA from his social worker we jumped on it because it was something he was very interested in. Hunter was given a fabulous wish this last hunting season where he shot a 6X7 Mule Deer at The Gardner Ranch in a little town called Broadus, MT. So many people came forward to help make this trip such a success that I just knew I had to be a part of that organization. So here I am getting involved along side of my (almost 13 year old) Hunter who is the Junior Board Member for Montana.
I am fortunate enough to have a fabulous Husband who works hard so that I can stay home with the kids until they are in school. I work part time for a fantastic photographer and just for fun I breed AKC English Bulldogs. I am a people friendly person and am always willing to give of my time to others when I am able. I have been told that I have a kind of "magnetic" personality and have never had trouble making friends. When I am passionate about something I run with it. I am so very honored and excited to do anything I can for the United Special Sportsman Alliance (USSA) so please feel free to contact me any time. I'm always looking for kids who are in need of a wish like USSA offers and would welcome any and all new friends. Thank you! : )
Amanda Gervais
"I myself am made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions".
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IL DREAM HUNT
Jim McFarlane, said, "This year's Illinois Dream Hunt is the ninth year that the United Special Sportsman Alliance (USSA) and Illinois Bowhunters Society (IBS) has taken 12 critically health challenged kids on a fair chase deer hunt at Sahara Woods State Park in Carrier Mills, Illinois. The local community and Illinois Department of Natural Resources have opened their arms with help and donations to facilitate this 3 day hunt. Lodging and food is donated by local church groups coordinated by Oxford Church Camp coordinated by Dee & John Rader at the church's Rudement, Illinois site along with much volunteer coordination by Shenene Williamson of Harrisburg. All our hunting mentors are volunteers from around the state.
Our 12 hunters this year have come from 8 different states (South Carolina, Mississippi, Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, 4 kids from Illinois along with twins from Nebraska). Their ages ranges from 9 to 19 and their health challenges are varied with 5 of them going out in the woods in wheel chairs set up specifically in ground blinds with 4 ft x 4 ft plywood floors for ease of movement.
We had an Ohio State Director of USSA bring a 16 year old young man from Minford, Ohio to participate in the hunt.
The extended weekend started off with all the families, Mentors, & volunteers meeting at Oxford Church Camp and getting to know each other better. For about a month before the hunt the Mentors have been communicating with the families and answering questions and explaining people's roles in the hunt. This year, we were lucky enough to have a mother of a past Special Sportsman, Kim Moslander from Granite City acting as a Social coordinator for activity to be done outside of the hunt and with other family members."
Bio-Tec Research
 Our primary mission is to positively affect the recreational and commercial deer industry as well as our national hunting and fishing heritage. We believe solid scientific conservation principles must be applied in order to preserve our wildlife resource for the next generation. As past history has confirmed; a joint effort of both the recreational and commercial deer industries will provide the best solution for tomorrow's generation of hunters. In addition, hunting, fishing, and farming of all kinds have suffered unprecedented attacks from animal activism. We are committed to silencing the shrill, uninformed voice of the animal extremist who stands in the way of our vision. Bio-Tec's mission is to promote, unite and facilitate that vision to the best of our abilities and resources!
Visit: www.deerfood.com
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USSA is a registered 501(c)(3) national organization; 100% volunteer based. Your "Donation" is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Whether you are a business, an organization, a foundation, a governmental agency, outfitter, landowner, or a private citizen looking to make a difference, USSA has an "option" to make your involvement simple AND rewarding!
I. Donations
Our Sponsor's dollars help USSA meet its numerous operational expenses in addition to playing a greater role in large scale group events. Sponsorship dollars also subsidize travel expenses for our "recipients" to and from the field, license fees, taxidermy expense, and game processing.
II. Donors and Partners
USSA Donors are the "field generals" of our charity. These are the people and operations that are on the front lines, donating hunting, fishing, camping, horseback riding, and water sports adventures to our nations less fortunate sportsmen and women. Our donors are a diverse group. They are our country's land owner's outfitters, preserve owners, fishing lodge owners, boat owners and campground owners to name a few examples. Without their generosity and compassion, USSA would be just another charity. If you have any "outdoor type" service you would like to offer please let us know. If you have any unique outdoor experience you would like to offer, please let us know, and we will post your special opportunity under one of our homepage adventure buttons called "Other Activities". We will then help coordinate the wish for you and your recipient.
Our USSA Partners are organizations and operations that share a common cause and philosophy about human dignity, conservation, and outdoor sports. Partners can contribute valuable services, like media and communications or intangibles like providing a united solid front on key conservation, education and sportsmanship issues. If you would like to become a partner and be listed on our web site, please contact us at: "Contact USSA"
Partner, Donor, Sponsor and Member support is essential to promoting a new era of outdoor sports for the 21st century. A united voice with ALL concerned operations and organizations is crucial to see the mission to a successful end.
If you would like to mail your donation download the Donor Form
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