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4/3/2008
Living the Dream: Foundation Celebrates the Outdoors - and Children
Anderson Independent
While we'll happily acknowledge that our idea of shooting wildlife involves a Nikon, for many in our region, a hunting trip is as much about family tradition and being in the outdoors as bringing home a deer. As a wise gentleman of our acquaintance used to say about fishing: "It's not the catching that intrigues me; it's the fishing, the being around the water that soothes my soul. I don't have to catch a darned thing to have a good day."
There is something wholesome about outdoor activities, as if they represent a time before we were all addicted to the Internet or the kids had so many extracurricular lessons there was no time left for play.
And there is something admirable about people who want to remember that time and recreate it, who work with a foundation with a goal of introducing children to the beauty and wonder of the outdoors.
The Outdoor Dream Foundation, founded by Coach Harold Jones and his son Brad, does just what its name implies. It fulfills dreams of enjoying the outdoors for children who have never been on a fishing trip or taken a hike, or as one young beneficiary learned, been on a dogsled in Alaska. And for some of the children, it's the chance to do something just one more time, to enjoy an activity that may never be possible again.
The foundation's focus is children who have been diagnosed with a terminal or life-threatening illness. They will arrange any type of outdoor adventure the child has always dreamed of taking. It?s a well-run organization, a nonprofit recognized for putting more than 98 percent of its contributions into granting the dreams of children.
On Monday, the foundation will sponsor a fundraiser to continue that work. An Evening with Hank Parker starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Anderson Civic Center. Mr. Parker, a two-time Bassmaster Classic champion, will be joined by country music star Rex Norton who will present a live concert. One of the prizes offered at the event will be a guided striper fishing trip for two with a member of Mr. Parker's 3D fishing team. Another prize will be a trophy whitetail deer hunt with Pro Football Hall of Fame member Larry Csonka. The first- place winner will have his or her choice of trips.
For ticket information on the event and the prizes, go to www.outdoordream.org or contact Harold Jones at 864-226-8775.
You can be part of making a child?s dream come true.
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