Lifestyle

Texas Hunt for the Cure: Making the Outdoor Dreams of Children Come True

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Tony Maples Photography

 

Donating to charitable initiatives that have a profound impact on children never fails to make giving of yourself feel even better than it normally does. Texas Hunt for the Cure is a prime example of such an organization. Inspired by the courage of children undergoing a tremendous life change, Texas Hunt for the Cure offers an enriching experience to help kids diagnosed with a life-altering or life-threatening condition. They make it possible for such youths, ages six through 23 years, to take the hunting, fishing, and camping trip of their dreams. By mentoring a child and their family through their special trip, this 501(c)(3) non-profit organization allows the family to truly relax and enjoy their outdoor experience.

Texas Hunt for the Cure: Fulfilling Wishes and Making Outdoor Dreams Come True

Photo: Facebook/Texas Hunt for the Cure

Texas Hunt For The Cure originated as a way to honor the memory of Derek Wade Cline. The young man was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma cancer in 2009, and, sadly, lost his battle with the disease in 2012 at 22 years of age. Just three weeks prior to his death, family friend Stacy Stanberry was able to assist Derek in taking one last hunt, which inspired Stanberry to develop the organization and its many opportunities for children. “He was so happy and ready to go. Although it was a hard hunt, I don’t think he ever stopped smiling the whole trip. We both had the time of our lives, that’s for sure. He was able to shoot a beautiful, big, painted desert ram,” Stanberry explained to a local media outlet.

Texas Hunt for the Cure

Photo: Texas Hunt for the Cure

Raised to hunt, camp, and fish, Stanberry partnered with others of similar interests and those having also been affected by the diagnosis of a child or children with similar conditions. They determined to find a way to give back to those children. “After seeing the change it made in this young man and the difference it made in not only his life, but mine as well, I talked to a few family members and close friends about trying to help other children that are facing these life threatening illnesses,” he noted. Combining their desire to give back with their love for the great outdoors, they developed a plan to provide exceptional hunting, fishing, and camping experiences for these children, honoring their passion for life and their personal values. Meanwhile, they also teach the youth hunting skills and ethics, firearm safety, fishing techniques, and camping tips and tricks. Together with the bonus of time to bond, relax, and simply be a kid, the goal of Texas Hunt for the Cure is to make these kids’ greatest outdoor dreams a reality. Sharing in the joy of what Cline and Stanberry loved – being in the outdoors – the group continues to devote time to the youth, support and assist them through this rough time in their lives, and encourage a great experience and fun time.

Texas Hunt for the Cure: Fulfilling Wishes and Making Outdoor Dreams Come True

Photo: Facebook/Texas Hunt for the Cure

Relying on the generosity of sponsors as well as the time and energy of a tremendous group of volunteers, Texas Hunt for the Cure works to fulfill the fishing, camping, and hunting dreams that make these bold, spirited children smile. Dedicated to nurturing the family as a unit, they encourage participating families to become involved in their child’s trip so that they can enjoy this special time with them. Working with children’s hospitals throughout the state of Texas, the group connects with kids who have been diagnosed with terminal, life-threatening, and life-changing conditions.

 

Texas Hunt for the Cure

Photo: Texas Hunt for the Cure

The board for Texas Hunt for the Cure consists of Stacy Stanberry as President, Shane Webster, Vice President, Lisa Lathem as Secretary, Jamie Davis as Treasurer, and Ken McCormick, Christal Meine, Julie Webster, Gene Willis, and Russel Wilson as Ambassadors. They rely tremendously on a group of close-knit volunteers for various events that they manage and implement on behalf of the organization, not to mention the coordinated hunts and fishing trips. There is presently a 25-child waiting list for their services, and trips are adjusted based on the relationship development with the child and their family, and how their illness is progressing. Their group is very family-oriented and values the relationships they develop over the course of their trips. Texas Hunt for the Cure holds an annual reunion, welcoming the children and their families to attend a celebration of the joy that has been brought to their lives. As the organization noted, “Once we meet our families, they become part of the Texas Hunt for the Cure family. They are not forgotten. Their struggles become our struggles. We cherish each kid and their family and feel blessed and honored to know them…To be honest, they each bring us so much more joy than we could ever give back.” Over time, they do have to face the realities of loss alongside the families, but they value the time shared with each child and concentrate on the positive experience they were able to impart.

Texas Hunt for the Cure: Fulfilling Wishes and Making Outdoor Dreams Come True

Photo: Facebook/Texas Hunt for the Cure

If you know of a child who could benefit from this wonderful outdoor experience, an application for registration for Texas Hunt for the Cure is available at the link provided here. If you would like to dedicate your own time helping to make children’s hunting, fishing, and camping dream trips a reality, contact Texas Hunt for the Cure at their web link provided here, or by private message on their Facebook page. Stanberry said, “This experience has changed so many people’s life that it’s hard to believe that it all started with one young man named Derek Cline that wanted to go on one last hunting trip. I am so happy that I was the one that was chosen by the man up above to take him and fulfill his dream. It has changed my life in ways you could never imagine.” Now in its sixth year of providing outings for these deserving youth, Stanberry and the volunteers at Texas Hunt for the Cure continue to be thankful for the opportunity to fulfill these wishes and outdoor dreams.