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About Us
About us
Our Mission statement.
Hunters Helping Kids, Inc. (HHK) is a Non-Profit 501c3 Organization dedicated
to inspire and educate our youth in wildlife conservation and management. It
is our belief that by involving our youth in outdoor shooting sports, the desire
to preserve the conservation and hunting heritage will endure through future
generations.
Opening
Statement
We are an organization that
strongly feel is beneficial to the future youth of America. Our goal is to make
it possible for any kid to hunt. Hunters Helping Kids Inc,
Northern NY Chapter is dedicated to educating youth about conservation, wildlife
management, outdoor sports and keeping the hunting heritage of our forefathers
alive. They strive to ensure the youth of today will be our outdoor sportsmen
and conservationists of tomorrow. NNY HHK’s goal is to provide hunting activities
for all kids while educating them about the outdoors and gun safety. HHK is
a non-profit organization depending solely on donations, sponsorships, fund
raising and a lot of heart. Their Board of Directors is dedicated to our youth.
At the National level, HHK has provided over 400 kids with the “Ultimate Kid’s
Hunt”. All the members donate their time and expertise to make these hunts happen.
The kids are schooled in gun and hunting safety- their #1 priority. At each
hunt, For the Ulimate Kids NC deer hunt kids are outfitted head to toe for their
guided hunt. They also receive a new gun suitable for them. WOW, just like Christmas!
The NNY HHK Chapter has provided over 200 kids with hunts and out door events.
It has many exciting events planned for New York in 2008. A “Youth Turkey Hunt”
is scheduled for April 26 and 27, also duck hunts, goose hunts, fishing trips,
trap shooting and fall turkey hunts,Pheasant hunt all here in New York. The
NNY Chapter also offers entries through the internet and at their booths for
the “Ultimate Kids Hunt” down in North Carolina. How Exciting! There will also
be a fundraising banquet with an auction, raffles, fun and games planned for
June 21. Just think how much more NNY HHK Chapter could do with your support.
. Give it some thought. What can you do for the future of America and our “Kids”?
All donations are deeply appreciated
we are a Non-Profit 501c3 Organization, Your donations are tax deductable and
we will provide you with a receipt on request you will also be recognized at
our events and publications.
Thank you in advance for your
consideration.
Hunters Helping Kids Inc.
National Board of Director
Sponsorships Chairman
NNY Chapter President
Richard Worden (315) 387-3497 Cell (315)778-2404
Annual
Sponsorship Application
Northern
NY Chapter Board of Directors
President Richard Worden
Vice president Lou McNett
Vice president Robert Jones
Treasurer Paulyn Eastman
Secretary Immy Garnsey
Board of Directors
Wesley Lewis
David Eastman
Will Chatterton
Rick McDermott
Eric Taber
Katie Eastman
Tom Worden
And always there
lending a hand & support
Dustin Eastman
Pam Lewis
Ken Burd
Gennie McNett
Casandra
Worden
John Worden
Robert Tyfair
Katie Eastman
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Going South Sportsmen,
Magazine Article by Dorothy Taylor
Hunters Helping Kids
I have recently been introduced to Mr. Richard Worden via an online sporting
forum we are both members of, and I became quite interested in the organization
he is a major part of. Knowing how most of us like to include our kids in our
outdoor sports, I thought you may be interested as well. Mr. Worden is on the
National Board of Directors, a Sponsorship Chairman, and the Northern New York
Chapter President of Hunters Helping Kids. The following information was gathered
through an email interview I had with Mr. Worden.
What is Hunters Helping Kids and how was it started?
Hunters Helping Kids is a 501c3 organization that was established in 2005. In
the early 90s Chris Hatley and some of his friends decided to take some kids
hunting that had no one to hunt with. He began by taking kids hunting locally
and getting hunts from other local hunters and getting them involved. After
working with a number of different conservation groups and doing several hunts,
the decision was made to form Hunters Helping Kids Inc. This was done in June
of 2005 and the rest is history.
Our first year, time was short so we picked only 6 kids for the Ultimate Kids
hunt. This included 3 boys and 3 girls, including one physically handicapped
child. The kids chosen for these hunts are picked randomly from applications.
The applications are given out at all kinds of kid related events, as well as
downloaded from our web site. At this point we have had kids from Wyoming, Michigan,
Wisconsin, Idaho, New York, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina, New Mexico,
Montana, Florida, Louisiana, Indiana, Virginia and several other states.
When they come on the hunt, they are given a complete hunting outfit and a gun
that they get to keep after the hunt. The kids and their families are furnished
with lodging, food and lots of fun and great memories. Both our 2005 and 2006
Ultimate Kids Hunt were held on the Denny Lee farm in Erwin, N.C. Our 2007 hunt
was hosted by Dennis Brinkley Farm in Colletsville, N.C.
Now that you know something about the beginning of what is now the Hunters Helping
Kids, let me tell you what the goals are and how we intend to make all of this
happen. Our goals are to make it possible for any kid that we hear of that wants
to hunt, who for any reason may not have someone to hunt with or a place to
hunt, to go on a hunt second to none. We now have hunts of all descriptions
donated to Hunters Helping Kids to kelp make this happen. We want to here from
people all over the U.S. if they know of a child that has a need that we can
help. This is being made possible by a few people working hard, some individuals
as well as some larger sponsors donating monies, merchandise and related products.
We also are doing Wildlife conservation banquets. These are similar in some
ways to NRA, Buckmaster or Duck Unlimited events with just a few differences.
Most of the merchandise we offer is custom made just for Hunters Helping Kids.
It is signed and numbered in most cases and you can only get it at our banquets.
Our goal for the year of 2007-2008 is to establish 40 more chapters and to do
as many banquets in several different states. Hunters Helping Kids supplies
the merchandise for the event as well as tickets, raffle tickets and other related
materials for a committee to have a HHK Banquet. The group provides the building,
sells the tickets to get the people, has the food and handles the monies. When
all is paid the sponsoring group chapters keeps fifty percent of the net. That
means that you keep one half of the final profit. Hunters Helping Kids gets
the other half. All we ask is that you use your monies on KIDS. It could be
putting lights in a ball field or sending a kid to band camp. We don't care
as long as it is spent on KIDS. The Hunters Helping Kids part will be used to
make all of our goals possible. HHK’s goal in 2006 was to take 10 kids hunting.
At the end of our 2006 hunting season, the total was 103 KIDS. 2007 is looking
a lot better and the number is going to be well over 200 KIDS. With our chapter
events we have conservatively reached out to over 600 kids.
Will you explain what a Non-Profit 501C3 is?
A 501/c3 is a nonprofit status with the IRS that exempts HHK from income tax
as well as sales tax and it provides our donors to use their donation as a tax
deductible item.
How many chapters are there now?We have at the present time 20 chapters with
some new ones still under construction and interest of others starting up.
How many children would you estimate are involved in HHK?
Counting the national annual Ultimate Kids Hunt and different events both national
and chapters have offered, I would say conservatively we have made 600 kids
dreams come true with big smiling faces.
How many disabled children are involved? (I think this part is GREAT!)
In regards to our National Ultimate Kids Hunt we do make accommodations for
at least one handicapped youth which many times is a challenge as they are so
many different levels of handicaps we do our very best to making an event fit
the kid.
As for our chapters, we always include handicapped kids in events. In most cases,
we go out looking for them as unfortunately, these kids are over looked by most
or sit in the back row. What a reward it is to us to make their day happen!
Does HHK do any advertising?
Yes, by working booths at hunt related events such as gun shows, county fairs,
newspapers, magazines when we can, posters, our recent blog by Othmar Vhringer,
and hunt related forums on the internet.
What kind of growth have you seen?
Going back to when Chris Hatley first started, we have grown from just helping
a few local NC kids to now helping hundreds and more across the country. Our
funds have continued growing, just as knowledge of HHK and what we are about
has grown.
What obstacles have you seen?
To answer this I would have to say our most difficult obstacles have been lack
of notoriety and capturing the interest of corporations. Fund raising is also
a battle in most cases as we are asking our working class to reach into their
pockets. Being a provider for their own families, the dollars are not always
that plentiful for donations.
How is the Ultimate Kid’s Hunt paid for? What is covered?
Every event we have both national and by chapters, are cost free to all participants.
We have fundraising banquet/auctions, raffles, approach local businesses and
sportsman clubs for items or monetary donations.
What is covered? Any item a youth may need for a specific event – clothing,
weapons, meals, hotel bill, room and board for parents, and insurance, and at
some events there are prizes for all the participating kids.
Who decides where the hunt will be held?
We have many offers of the use private hunting areas. With that, the board of
directors, whether it be national level or a chapter, select a location that
will provide the most suitable area both in safety and harvest potential for
the specific hunt planed.
We also have lake fishing trips generally donated to us by charter captains
using their expertise as to what will make it the most safe and enjoyable time
for the kids and hopefully catch some fish.
We have chapters doing a youth turkey hunt weekend where we like to have the
kid harvest his/her turkey, say in dads favorite spot, giving them quality time
with mom or dad, which ever the case may be. Again, locations are selected with
safety and harvest potential in mind.
What is done with any of the meat/trophies from the kids hunt?
All the kids have the option of taking the meat home or donating it to a feed
the hungry program.
As for trophies, HHK will pick up the cost of mounting and see that it is shipped
to them at no cost.
Have any “Big - Name” companies ever donated or expressed interest in donating
to HHK? (Such as firearms makers, gear makers, ect?)
As of the fall of 2007, we now have Walker Game Ear on board as a cooperate
sponsor and have received donations from Charles Denault, renowned artist, Dick's
Sporting Goods, Walmart, Gander Mountain Sporting Goods, and many more. Cabela's
has shown a great interest, turkey call makers Brian Warner of Heirloom Custom
Turkey Calls, and Tanker’s Turkey Calls Hand Crafted Turkey Calls designed by
Brian Gregory are also contributing calls.
We have presentation packages sent out to Remington Arms and Mossberg Arms hoping
to acquire their support.
What do you see in the future for HHK?
We see great things happening with HHK! As we speak, the organization is snowballing,.
We have seen great interest at corporate levels of major hunt related companies.
We see our name Hunters Helping Kids Inc being exposed more and more. The People
are Talkin’!
What would you like to see?
I would really like to see more and more Chapters popping up across the country.
Our goal is to add 40 more in 2008. Also I’d like to see the corporate hunting
community realizing that their future customers are our kids and coming aboard
HHK with their support.
How can others get involved?
First, they can get involved by starting a chapter in their community. It doesn't
stop with just the kids. It also generates community affairs, interest and support
follows. Folks, don't think for one minute that you couldn't do this as it is
as easy as falling out of bed while you’re awake. Just meet with two or three
of your friends that under stand what HHK is about. Set up an event that fits
your area kids. Trust me, it will snowball from there.
They may also go with our sponsorship program by either downloading one from
our website Http://www.huntershelpingkids.com or contacting our sponsorship
chairman at
HHK
93 Scott Rd.
Sandy Creek NY 13145
or by e-mail Richard@huntershelpingkidsnny.com
A Blog Writen By Othmar
Vhringer a outdoor writer and strong supporter of HHK
The Outdoors Interview with Richard Worden
© By Othmar Vohringer
Recently I had the opportunity to conduct the following
interview with Mr. Richard Worden, Sponsorships Chairman on the National Board
of Directors of Hunters Helping Kids inc. and Chapter President of Hunters Helping
Kids inc. – Northern New York Chapter.
Hunter Helping Kids Inc. is a very unique organization
in that they are dedicated to make it possible for every child to take part
in our heritage and provide them with the ultimate hunting experience. So far
the HHK has provided hunts and other hunting related events for over 400 children.
Prior to each hunting event, the Kids are schooled in gun and hunting safety.
The goal of the HHK is to inform, inspire and encourage the kids in wildlife
conservation, preservation and safety.
Here to tell us a little more about Hunter Helping Kids
Inc. and how hunters across the nation can get involved is Mr. Richard Worden.
Othmar Vohringer
First of all I would like to thank you to agree to this interview and congratulate
you and all the other Hunters Helping Kids, Inc. volunteers for what your organization
does to recruit more and new hunters and with that furthering the continuance
of our outdoor heritage into the next generation. As most of us know, hunters
are very important to the wildlife and habitat conservation efforts of the DNR’s
and Wildlife conservation organizations. Without hunters it would at best be
very difficult to maintain the high standard of our wildlife and habitat conservation,
the result of which can be enjoyed by everyone not only hunters and outdoor
enthusiasts.
To start with would you be kind enough to explain in
more detail what the Hunters Helping Kids is all about?
Richard Worden
[Answer here]
First would be our Mission statement.
Hunters Helping Kids, Inc. (HHK) is a Non-Profit 501c3 Organization dedicated
to inspire and educate our youth in wildlife conservation and management. It
is our belief that by involving our youth in outdoor shooting sports, the desire
to preserve the conservation and hunting heritage will endure through future
generations.
Our goal is a simple one. HHK wants to make it possible for any kid to hunt,
or visit mother nature’s classroom by helping to provide experienced guides
and excellent locations to make a Kid’s dream come true. Just ask any of our
Kids….our events are second to none.
By forming chapters across the nation led by Sportsmen and Sportswomen, these
talented and giving individuals donate their time and experience to help our
mission to take Kids hunting and outdoor activities.
Prior to each hunting event, the Kids are schooled in gun and hunting safety,
our number one priority. Our goal is to inform, inspire and encourage the kids
in wildlife conservation, preservation and safety. For each hunt and out door
activities, family members are encouraged to attend and to participate in each
Kids achievement during the these events, allowing wonderful memories to be
created by the trip, experience and fellowship
All of our chapters share the same criteria and goals with a great deal of compassion.
O.V.
From earlier communications with you I learned that the HHK does much more than
just providing children with a hunting opportunity. You also offer education
about hunting and provide the children with opportunities and materials to make
their own turkey calls for example.
This seems to be quite an eventful time for the children.
How many days spend the children at an HHK organized event?
R.W.
[Answer here]
HHK offers seminars on shooting rifle and bow, trapping, hunting and fishing
techniques with safety and conservation a top priority. We take kids on tours
Maple syrup processing, Fish Hatchery, Taxidermy demo station.
As for our annual Ultimate Kids Hunt, it is a three day event, Turkey hunt is
a two day event. Tours Fishing trips, work shops, shoots in the most part are
a one day event
O.V.
One of the more obvious and important questions would be. Are the parents or
older siblings of the children invited too? Or is it strictly the children?
And what is the minimum and maximum age of a child to be eligible to take part
in a HHK hunting event.
R.W.
[Answer here]
Parents and family members are always invited to all events. As the for the
age group we mostly work with are from ten – fifteen years old our thinking
there is to expose them to mother natures class room as it is our feeling that
by the time a child reaches sixteen they seem to wonder off in different directions
which in many cases they end up on the wrong side of the law. However we do
and have included kids as old as nineteen and we try our best to work with a
handicap youth that would really like to participate in events.
O.V.
How and on what criteria if any does the HHK chose a child and how can interested
people apply for a hunt with your organization?
R.W.
[Answer here]
The Ultimate Kids Hunt is done by entry forms that are made available from our
websites, one of my duties as a national director is to post this event on several
hunt related web sites making the entry available to kids across the country.
The national board of director meet the first week in August where five girls
and five boys names are drawn from different states we draw entries from this
and it is done by a law enforcement officer. As to the numbers of kids drawn
we quite often have cases where we accept more then ten.
Example in 2007 we had a young man from Florida who won
the hunt he was notified of his win and at that time he stated he hunts quite
regularly with his dad and he would like to give his win to a close friend that
has never had the opportunity to hunt. With that kind gesture the directors
decided to have both young men participate in the hunt. The young man that was
added is from a broken home, lives with his mom and funds being short, mom didn’t
think they could afford the expense of the trip to NC with that the HHK directors
decided to send a check for $200.00 to help offset the cost of their trip.
I have to add in today’s modern youth this is a very heart warming experience
to see this touching offer from friend to friend. And to see the appreciation
of the
Items they won, the hunt and fellowship we see is a tear jerking moment. Money
can not buy those moments Priceless.
On a local chapter level event we use posters, newspapers,
local hunt related news magazines, some radio and good old fashion mouth to
mouth works well.
One may call to pre register for events offered, giving us an approximate number
of participating kids and family members as to outfitting, feeding etc
O.V.
The events offered by the HHK require not only a place to take the children
hunting but also food a camp and the material for all the other activities offered.
Besides the huge organizational task such an event involves it also costs money.
How does the money get raised and how can people donate? Do you accept donations
such a material, food, and last but not least hunting opportunities through
outfitters, besides monetary donations?
R.W.
[Answer here]
Donations are definitely accepted whether it be goods, money, materials, Hunts
from outfitters as that is what allows HHK to fulfill our mission.
We do fund raising banquet/auction, raffles, sponsorships, approach business.
Folks who would like to donate at the national level can contact President Chris
Hatley @ highrockhunters@yahoo.com
or call (704) 363-6663 or contacting our
Director of operations Dale Dodson (336) 263-5959 or director Richard Worden
Hhk_nnychapter@frontiernet.net
or call (315) 387-3497
Sponsorships applications are available on our websites.
Note, HHK has a 501/C3 nonprofit status whit that all donations are tax deducible
For the folks that would like to donate to their closest chapter you may select
a chapter by going to our website for their contact points
O.V.
So far the HHK has Chapters in North Carolina, Michigan, New York and Virginia.
One of the HHK aims is to set up chapters all across America. Are there plans
to set up HHK Chapters in Canada too? How can hunters interested in setting
up a HHK Chapter in their state or area go about it and what are the requirements?
R.W.
[Answer here]
Canada yes if fact there is a meeting scheduled in Canada in the near future
as to doing just that. At this time I'm not sure of the location.
As to setting up chapters Please contact National Director of Chapter Development
Dennis Campbell Waynesboro, VA Office: (540) 946-8447 Mobile: (540) 529-2202
you may also go to the website under directors an e-mail Dennis
O.V.
To my knowledge the HHK only offers hunts to children, as a person who likes
to fish in the summer I just have to ask the next question out of curiosity.
Does the HHK consider providing fishing too in the future?
R.W.
[Answer here] Fishing? You bet, as we do have fishing trips, some being lake
fishing also stream fishing with a camp out. and Ice fishing, too. in fact I’ll
be working a kids ice fishing event Feb second and third on an inlet of Lake
Ontario.
O.V.
To give our readers an idea of what a HHK hunting event looks like I would appreciate
if you could provide us with a typical run down of an event for us.
R.W.
[Answer here]
To be brief we set an arrival date and time followed by a reception where everyone
gets acquainted. At some events where it requires them to be outfitted for a
specific event, we outfit them and explain and take them to the event grounds
Meals are provided and lodging if necessary.
Youth Spring Turkey Hunt 2007 Summary attachment coming
O.V.
Thank you Mr. Richard Worden for the time and the opportunity you provided me
so generously from your busy schedule to conduct this interesting, and for me
important, interview.
As a hunter and fisher, and with my work through SHS
I am dedicated for many years to the promotion of our hunting heritage to our
young generation and non-hunting community. As I said many times, in my opinion
the promotion of hunting and the good it does for the wildlife has become more
important than at any time before in history.
It is organizations like the Hunters Helping Kids Inc.
and the many dedicated volunteers giving freely of their time and effort that
make a positive and much needed difference for the benefit not only of the children
but for us all in the hunting community. I hope that in the future I been given
the opportunity to get more involved in Hunters Helping Children.
For more information about the Hunters Helping Kids Inc
and how you can get involved, visit the HHK National website http://www.huntershelpingkids.com/
or the HHK-Northern NY Chapter website.http://www.huntershelpingkidsnny.com/
Here you can find out the contacts of your local HHK Chapter in North Carolina,
Michigan, New York and Virginia.
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All
donations are deeply appreciate if you should wish to donate please contact
us at richard@huntershelpingkidsnny.com
or (315)387-3497 they are tax deductible
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