Catch a Dream Foundation gives children chance of lifetime
Starkville Rotary Club heard from a man whose organization helps terminally ill children’s dreams come true. At Monday’s meeting, Marty Brunson from the Catch a Dream Foundation spoke to the Rotarians at lunch time.
While most people have heard of the Make-a-wish Foundation and all the work they do, Brunson came to talk about the Catch a Dream Foundation which is not unlike Make-a-wish. However, they focus on a more outdoorsy getaway for children who desire it. In 1999, Makea-wish felt pressured to no longer service children whose
wishes involved “firearms, hunting bows, or other hunting or sportshooting equipment.”
“My background is in wildlife and fisheries, and at that time I was the Extension specialist here at Mississippi State. It’s been my career talking to people and working with county agents and landowners in managing wildlife and fisheries resources,” Brunson said. “When Make-a-wish made this decision in 1999, a lot of folks were not happy. Here in Mississippi, a small group of people got together and picked up on an idea that was first voiced by a man named Bruce Brady. Bruce was dying of cancer, and he said there needs to be a program that would allow these children who want to be out in the outdoors to hunt and to fish.”
Though Bruce Brady was unable to form a group himself, one of his friends reached out through MSU Extension Services and got in contact with Brunson, and eventually Catch a Dream came to fruition. Brunson never met Brady but met with many of his family members. The entire idea of this foundation is credited toward Brady and the passion he had for providing children with that experience.
Catch a Dream is founded upon the ideals of the bible verse from Isaiah 40:30-3: “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew
their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
The reason Brunson cited this is simple.
“In the outdoors, we can see the gifts He has given us. And what better place than the outdoors to show anyone, especially those who are hurting, that there is a Creator who created us and gave us these gifts to enjoy?” Brunson said.
The vacation is not just for the child who is sick, but for the whole family. The parents are able to relax because Catch a Dream has trained hosts all across the United States and Canada who do the very best job to help the family feel somewhat normal again. The siblings
of the dreamer are brought along and included in different activities, and they are also recognized for the struggles they are going through seeing their brother or sister sick.
Since their inception, Catch a Dream has helped 721 children fulfill their dream, and it has cost the families of the children zero dollars. They have served children from 47 different states, only lacking Alaska, Hawaii, and Rhode Island. They operate year round.
When the family arrives at their destination, the child who Catch a Dream is helping receives apparel for their dream they are fulfilling and they are given proper training on the equipment they will be using. The kids are not flown into just anywhere, either. Through connections and big hearts, these
kids get the full experience on exclusive lands and waters, like retired NASCAR driver Tony Stewart’s private and vast land.
Every child has a few things in common.
“They are all between the ages of six and 18, and they have been told by their doctor that if we don’t get your body fixed, you may not grow up,” Brunson said. “Some of them are told if they cannot get their sickness fixed, they will not live to see another new moon. Some have been told it’s over, and there is no hope. Our job is to reach out and extend this message of hope.”
One of the children from Mississippi who went through the program two weeks before he passed away said this: “When I’m hunting and fishing, I don’t really feel bad, and my trip was like a vacation from being sick.”
At the end of the day, that is all those involved with Catch a Dream could ever ask for - a child to feel like they can be a child one more time.
All of Catch a Dream’s funding comes from donors as they are a nonprofit organization. In fact, one of their largest donors is the MSU Sigma Chi fraternity’s Derby Days, who raise over $80 thousand annually. For those who are interested in becoming a host, letting the foundation use their land or resources, or helping out with Catch a Dream, contact Marty Brunson at martyb@catchadream. org or info@catchadream.org.