Arizona Group Strives To Help Kids –
When They Need It The Most
The Arizona Chapter of Hunt of a Lifetime (HOAL) grants outdoor
wishes to kids who are ill.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
written by - Marshall McFarlane, Public Information Officer
Hunt Of A Lifetime - Arizona
For more information contact:
Terry A. Petko
HOAL Arizona Website
email: tpetko@hoalarizona.org
(602)689-9524
Phoenix, AZ – July 30, 2007
Talk to anyone involved with Hunt of a Lifetime and they will
love to chat about their many success stories. These stories
would not be possible without the help of the public, however –
and the public’s help is needed constantly to keep this great
program going!
HOAL provides hunting and fishing opportunities for children
with life-threatening and terminal illnesses. The Arizona
Chapter has been in existence since the year 2000, thanks to the
efforts of Janie Henson and Gary Keeny, who were the first
Arizona Ambassadors to HOAL. As a national organization, HOAL
has helped over 200 kids achieve their dream hunts. Since
legislation was passed in Arizona in 2005 to make tag transfers
possible, HOAL AZ has sent 14 youngsters on 16 hunts. They are
currently in the coordination phase for 6 more hunts this year!
The most direct way to help this program is to donate your big
game tag. Perhaps you are injured and can’t hunt; maybe
something came up and you won’t be able to participate in the
hunt that you drew; even better – you just want to do something
generous for a young person that has been dealt a poor hand.
Arizona Ambassador Terry Petko said this, in telling of the
three year journey to get the legislation created and passed:
“How many times do you get an opportunity in life to do
something that will benefit so many and know that when you pass
away, your efforts will still be fulfilling dreams. I feel
pretty blessed to have been led down this path.”
When a youngster is accepted into the program, they receive a
total hunt package including equipment, transportation (air and
car), a guide/outfitter, lodging, meat processing and delivery,
as well as taxidermy and delivery of their mount at no cost.
They are allowed to bring one parent along on their hunt. There
are many ways people can help, besides donating tags.
Individuals or businesses can assist in providing hotel
accommodations. The donation of frequent flier miles is always
appreciated. Embroidery and silk-screening services for hats and
shirts make a terrific donation, as do printing services for
brochures and business cards. Sporting goods gift certificates
help in providing equipment to the kids. Guide and Outfitter
services always help ensure a top-notch experience for these
kids. Of course, cash is always needed and appreciated.
Petko reminds everyone that there is still a lot of work to be
done. “So far we have been able to grant hunts here in Arizona
to every child that requested to come here. We still need all of
the donations we can get as I am stepping up the recruiting
efforts with the goal of knowing that every child that qualifies
for our program, and wants to go on a hunting or fishing trip
here in Arizona – gets that chance.”
HOAL wants people to know that there are still some hunts
available for qualifying children, for the fall/winter 2007
season. To learn what opportunities are available, please
contact them as soon as possible.
"Hunt Of A Lifetime" is a nonprofit organization with a mission
to grant hunting & fishing adventures and dreams for children
age 21 and under, who have been diagnosed with life threatening
illnesses. To learn more, please visit HOAL Arizona Website or
contact Terry Petko at the phone number listed above.
