About

About United Special Sportsman Alliance

United Special Sportsman Alliance, Inc. (USSA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit ‘dream wish’ granting charity, that specializes in sending critically ill and disabled youth and disabled veterans on the FREE outdoor adventure of their dreams! USSA adventures give our youth and veterans something to look forward to, and help sustain them in their time of need! Families have whisked away from the mundane, man-made world of hospitals, and high medical bills by giving them a place of peace to focus on the quality of life, family ties, and the wonders of our natural world!

USSA is composed of 100% volunteer staff from all walks of life, bonded together by a common love for our fellow mankind and deep respect and appreciation of our world’s natural resources. By working cooperatively with caring “Adventure” donors as well as generous individual and corporate sponsors, USSA has made a significant impact on the lives of thousands of children, disabled veterans, and their families. The public’s image of all sportsmen is enhanced, through this valuable community service, and new lifelong friendships are made! To learn more about USSA read on.

Prologue: A “Square Deal”

“In utilizing and conserving the natural resources of the nation, the one characteristic more essential than others is foresight. The conservation of our natural resources and proper use constitute the fundamental problem which underlies almost every other problem of our national life”

– Teddy Roosevelt address to National Editorial Association, Jamestown, VA. June 10, 1907

As the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt made conservation an important issue of his administration. He created four Big Game Refuges, five National Parks, the National Forest Service, and fifty-one National Bird Reservations. Roosevelt was a staunch advocate for the protection and management of our nation’s wild game, for the preservation of wildlands, open spaces, and the proper, sustainable use of the nation’s natural resources. The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation League bears his name today. President Roosevelt believed America’s natural resources to be a critical source of American society’s character and wealth. Roosevelt believed conservationism in itself to be an essential democratic movement, necessary to maintain and strengthen our democratic country. President Roosevelt touted the merits of a ‘Square Deal’ for every American.

In a speech to the New York State Fair on September 7, 1903, President Roosevelt said:

“Let the watchwords of all our people be the old familiar watchwords of honesty, decency, fair-dealing, and common sense.”… “We must treat each man on his worth and merits as a man. We must see that each is given a square deal because he is entitled to no more and should receive no less. “The welfare of each of us is dependent fundamentally upon the welfare of all of us.” At USSA, President Roosevelt’s belief in a Square Deal and dedication to conservation live on, and are as valid today as when they were spoken!

Introduction: Meet our charity

The United Special Sportsman Alliance, Inc. (USSA) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit “dream-wish” granting charity that specializes in sending children and veterans with life-threatening illnesses and disabilities on the outdoor adventure of their dreams! News announcements in the medical community are full of unexplained, miraculous remissions and recoveries of patients who remain upbeat and hopeful in their battle with a disease. Science continues to marvel at the unexplained “healing” phenomena we call the power of prayer. A “holistic approach,” where a patient’s “mind and outlook” is treated as well as their disease, is gaining acceptance nationwide. USSA adventures give patients something to look forward to and help sustain them in their time of need! Families have whisked away from the mundane, man-made world of hospitals and medical bills by giving them a place of peace to focus on the quality of life and family ties. We hope to help empower all Americans to pursue their lifelong dream of an outdoor adventure.

USSA is composed of 100% volunteer staff from all walks of life, bonded together by a common love for our fellow mankind and deep respect and appreciation of our world’s natural resources. By working cooperatively with caring donors like landowners, preserve owners, ranchers, outfitters, fishing lodges, boat owners, and campground owners, USSA is able to coordinate a true-life adventure for everyone. Generous corporate and individual sponsors (through membership) help pay the associated expenses incurred by the recipient while attending the dream-wish adventure. Together, this strong team structure has allowed USSA to grant over 19,000 dream adventures in 45 states to these special people since September 2000, and the number keeps growing rapidly each year.

On behalf of USSA, I would like to thank you for your interest in our charity and would encourage you to further enjoy your visit to the official USSA website.

God bless!
Brigid O’Donoghue
COB, CEO, and Founder, USSA

Constitution Vision Goals Mission

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Any successful organization needs a document that sets out the fundamental laws and code of conduct the organization will strictly adhere to. The United States Constitution is one of the most important national documents and guarantees a level of equal justice for all that is unprecedented in the history of mankind. By reading our USSA constitution, you will get a detailed look into our charities operating philosophy and be assured of the character of those involved in the day to day operations.

I. We believe in the God-given, dignity, inherent value, and equality of all mankind.

All humans regardless of gender, race, religion, age, creed, or physical, mental, economic, and emotional conditions; were created and remain equal throughout their lifetime. Any discrimination whatsoever will not be tolerated.
Every recipient, family, sponsor, donor, or associated will be treated with the utmost care and respect in accordance with the principles of love, respect, and generosity set down in our Christianity belief system.
We believe in mankind’s God-given dominion over the world’s animals. Humans have both a right and responsibly to use and care for the world’s natural resources.

II. We acknowledge our world’s natural resources as a priceless and irreplaceable gift to the entire world’s people.

Conservation and sound management of both our renewable and non-renewable natural resources is of utmost importance for the wellbeing and survival of the human race.
Our fish, game, and forest resources respond positively to scientifically valid management principles.

III. We believe there is a great appreciation of our natural world etched in each of our hearts and an unquenchable desire to experience it personally.

All people regardless of the challenges they may face in life should have the opportunity to experience our nation’s outdoor heritage.

IV. We acknowledge the indisputable positive role of hunting, fishing, and firearm ownership in our nation’s history.

We support ALL constituently guaranteed rights and liberties and stand firmly behind our second amendment rights.
We recognize the important role our fish and game resource has in feeding our nation’s people.
We encourage all states to pass a state constitutional amendment guaranteeing the citizens the right to hunt and fish.

V. We believe a family is a unit created and blessed by God. We affirm the importance of the family as an American institution. Strong, positive family values are essential for the long-term survival of our nation.

Much notable advancement in civilized society begins with a concept in the conscious and imagination of man. The late Dr. Martin Luther King began one of his famous speeches with the words “I have a dream”. Dr. King’s dream of equality for all is still alive, thriving and relevant today. Although not as wide in scope as Dr. King’s dream, USSA’s vision is focused primarily upon equality for all Americans in the pursuit of their outdoor sports heritage. Through participation in outdoor sports, family bonds will be strengthened, new friendships made, and a deep appreciation of our natural world will be cultivated! Challenged Americans will be encouraged to leave the traditional mundane boundaries of their bedrooms and hospital rooms to challenge the outdoors at a pace they can handle and enjoy!

To grant children and veterans with life-threatening illnesses, disabilities and challenged youths the outdoor adventure of their dreams.
To promote and protect the rights of all Americans to participate and enjoy our national outdoor heritage.
To promote the principles of conservation and sound Natural Resource management.
To help the general public better understand the numerous difficulties and challenges critically ill and disabled Americans must face on a daily basis.
- To help re-integrate these special Americans back into normal, everyday life.
To help empower all challenged Americans to follow their dreams of living an exciting life in the great outdoors.
To enhance the general non-hunting/fishing public’s image of hunters and fishermen by ushering in a New Era of Sportsmanship and provide a valuable community service by raising public awareness of important conservation issues and topics.
To promote and encourage greater hunting and fishing recruitment from all segments of society.

With our vision and goals firmly in sight, USSA takes aim at the numerous obstacles in the way of accomplishing these goals. The USSA mission requires a comprehensive, well-thought-out game plan to bring the mission to a successful conclusion. Lofty goals are great, but there must be a focused plan to make our vision a reality to the nation’s people. Like it or not, the long-term survival of our hunting and fishing heritage will probably depend on:

1: Sportsman recruitment from all segments of society.

2: Beginning sports hunting and fishing recruitment of all our youth at a younger age.

3: Increased firearm safety education and awareness to help reduce accidents.

4: Increased public awareness of the sportsman’s vital role in Natural Resource Management and financing.

5: Increase public awareness of the role of fish and game in feeding our nation’s people.

The following strategies are necessary for the successful completion of USSA’s mission.

Effective Communication with all disability-related organizations – is essential to finding people who qualify for a dream wish AND providing a safe, healthy, and fulfilling experience for the recipient. Doctors know the limitations of their patients best.
Coordinate and cooperate with all wish-granting charities – Coordination always provides efficiencies and economies of scale that solo efforts cannot hope to match! The important point is that the wish gets granted to the youth, not who granted it and gets the credit. Organizations that operate in unity can provide the resource pool and “critical mass” to see a goal to a successful conclusion.
Coordinate with our adventure Donors, to help assure a quality experience for all involved – Our landowners, ranchers, outfitters, preserve owners, fishing lodge operators, boat owners, and campground owners seem to get as much out of these experiences as the youth and the family! Family ties are strengthened, and lifelong friends are made.
Appreciate and thank our Sponsors and Donors for their involvement – Donors and sponsors are the lifeblood of any charity. All too often, kind and generous donations are left “unacknowledged”. Spreading the word about the character and compassion of our sponsors will allow the general public to make informed choices about the quality of the company or organization they are dealing with.
Communicate effectively with all media sources- Any “great story” needs an audience to hear it in order for its subject to have any positive effect on society. A working relationship with all media sources is essential to reaching a broad, diverse audience, which in turn will help promote an enlightened, caring public image and prompt us all to take affirmative, effective action.
I hope this introduction will encourage you to read further and meet USSA’s Board of Directors and Staff that helps make this concept a reality, Click Here.

USSA is is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and hence your contributions are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law. If you would like to make a financial contribution, Click Here.

If you would like to get involved in any aspect of USSA with volunteer assistance by donating a hunting or fishing trip, or other outdoor activities Click Here.