By Mac Minard
Executive Director,
Montana Outfitters and Guides Association
We all know or have heard of a family that has a loved one facing a life threatening illness or has endured the hardship of military service in a time of war. Often these circumstances are cause for lives to be put on hold. Dreams and plans for everyone involved take a backseat to the day to day challenge of caring for a loved one who is disabled as a consequence of their military service or the child who is faced with another round of chemo treatment in hopes of defeating the demon cancer.
For some of these special families the opportunity to take a break and reconnect as a family and create a lasting memory seems too distant to comprehend. The granting of a dream-trip can be much needed relief from the daily chore of survival.
Montana’s Big Hearts under the Big Sky (BHUBS) program provides fully guided and outfitted trips AT NO CHARGE to those who have provided extraordinary military service to our country and to others who face the challenges of life-threatening illness. The benefits of these dream trips extend far beyond the harvest or catch; spirits are healed, capabilities and confidence expand, a sense of purpose is rediscovered, and families are restored. The intangibles of the program are the hardest to measure, but the anecdotal evidence is abundantly clear:
“My son does not appear to be lost anymore; he has gotten back a more positive outlook on life,” said the father of a young man whose medical options to fight cancer had been exhausted, as he reflected on their Big Hearts elk hunt.
Teresa, wife of wounded combat veteran Brice, says “Our Big Hearts trip was a nice reprieve from the daily routine. Brice was gone for a really long time and we don't necessarily have extra money lying around to pay for a trip." She went on to say "I've never been to this part of the country so we're just really excited to spend time together and enjoy a vacation that we normally wouldn't be able to take. It is really nice to seeing Brice enjoying the outdoors and have some time as a family to reconnect and share the experience.”
Daric, a 15 year old, born with cerebral palsy and unable to walk without the aid of a walker, had the opportunity to get his first deer and exchange stories with other hunters, “being in the lodge, interacting with (other) experienced hunters … I never got to interact like that before. I loved sharing this trip with my Grandfather, we made some great memories”
Greg, a veteran, wounded in Afghanistan, and after spending two full years recovering from wounds received in battle, said the following about Big Hearts, “the experience I had in Montana validated not only my service and sacrifice but that of my family. They (MOGA Outfitters) represent the fabric of American culture that is worth fighting for.”
Anna, a 13 year old girl, who sadly lost her fight with Ewings Sarcoma, shared with those with her on her Big Hearts trip in Montana a profound statement “I have been sick for four years, but for the last four days I have not felt sick at all”. Anna’s parents had expressed similar feelings and appreciated the break a Big Hearts Trip provided.
Big Hearts under the Big Sky is the “giving back” extension of the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association (MOGA). The Mission of Big Hearts under the Big Sky is to provide high quality outdoor adventures, using our MOGA Montana Outfitters, at NO COST, to those who have provided extraordinary service to our country and those who face the challenge of a life threatening illness.
The BHUBS mission is accomplished in partnership with pre-selected nationally recognized charitable partners. Our partners include Wounded Warrior Project, Hunt of a Lifetime, Casting for Recovery, and Catch-a-Dream Foundation. Our partner’s role is to carefully screen and refer qualified participants to MOGA who then seek the perfect match with one of its 250 Outfitter members best able to deliver the dream trip.
Of the BHUBS model Marty Brunson, PhD Extension Professor/Catch-a-Dream Foundation, recently said
“The Big Hearts under the Big Sky model is unprecedented as an umbrella program to consolidate, underwrite and focus outfitter efforts to support charitable programs. It is a unique approach in which outfitters have the assurance they are dealing with reputable, sanctioned charities, and the charities have the luxury of “one-stop-shopping” for outdoor experience providers in Montana.”
Although based in Montana, MOGA has been serving a national audience for years. In just the last three years the Big Hearts program has served 28 families/groups (163 people) from 13 different states (including several from Montana), accounting for $176,000 worth of donated trips.
With an average retail value of approximately $6,300 per trip, a fully outfitted and guided trip is generally more than a family operated business can routinely provide. To ensure a steady supply of high-quality trips Big Hearts raises funds to offset the outfitter expense. Each participating outfitter donates to the effort, but Big Hearts offsets the hard out-of-pocket costs. This ensures those who qualify can participate, and the Outfitters can, as they have for years, continue to contribute and share their experience.
MOGA’s focus on serving the family is cornerstone to the Big Hearts program unique nature and success. They provide a diverse range of outdoor experiences often beyond the hunting and fishing Montana may be best known for. Although they make no apology for providing hunting and fishing, if that is what the family desires, they will also provide raft trips, hiking, sightseeing and extended backcountry wilderness horseback trips. With 250 Outfitter members offering diverse experiences, MOGA always has an Outfitter willing to serve in the program.
Party size can be a challenge but MOGA has always been able to accommodate the desires of the family. These shared experiences, on neutral ground, away from the day to day challenges, are therapeutic and have lasting positive effects on the individual and the family.
To learn more about MOGA’s Big Hearts under the Big Sky program you can visit the websites at http://www.bigheartsmt.org.
You may also call Mac Minard, Executive Director, at 406-449-3578 or email at moga@mt.net
To make tax deductable contribution to the Big Hearts under the Big Sky program you may do so in the form of sponsorships, endowments, or simple donations. Contributions can be made directly at: www.bigheartsmt.org