Board of Directors and Staff

Brigid O’Donoghue grew up in a large family of Irish descent. The oldest daughter in a family with nine kids found responsibility knocking at her door early in life. With limited financial resources, the Milwaukee, WI, native worked at jobs after school and on weekends so she could attend the area’s best private educational facilities. Her physically and mentally challenged younger brother was an inspiration during Brigid’s formative years. (read the Prologue below). Her brother’s physical challenges created a calling in her heart and inspired her to reach out to others who were less fortunate and needed her help. Unfortunately, her own personal health challenges threw her a curve ball. After numerous lengthy stays in and out of the hospital, including major surgery to remove scar tissue from a high fever, Brigid began picking up her life where it had left off years before.

The entrepreneur in her led her to begin her own business selling tractor-trailer loads of ground bark to landscapers throughout the Midwest. In addition, she blazed new trails by trucking bagged cottonseed from the cotton gin producers in the South to feed mills in the North. At the same time, she raised two wonderful children, despite continual abuse and lack of support in her relationship. Her daughter, Lindsey, is a Registered Nurse (like her grandmother) and lives in Milwaukee. Her son, Kenny, is a journeyman and works in the refrigeration industry in San Antonio, TX. Brigid’s children are dear to her heart and provide inspiration in her life and work.

In 1998, Brigid put her feed mill and trucking knowledge to work and started a new specialized company called Bio-Tec Research, Inc., which formulates and markets North America’s highest quality deer and elk products. In addition, she forged a limited-edition fashion line called “Charnel” that features unique, tailored outdoor wear.

When a deer food customer asked Brigid if she knew of any critically ill hunters who would be interested in a free deer hunt at his ranch, the seeds were sown for the birth of USSA. Brigid contacted a Texas man with cancer who flew to the ranch and harvested a nice buck. From that point, USSA’s wheels were in motion. By helping him realize his dream and spending time with this man, Brigid was inspired and knew in her heart she could pass happiness to others who were dealing with life-threatening illnesses. With a clear vision, she developed the all-volunteer United Special Sportsman Alliance in fall of 2000.

Through USSA, Brigid observed the inspiration passed on in her work creates special moments that make even the most difficult of life’s challenges especially meaningful. There is never a time that she does not look back and realize how fortunate she is to have overcome so many personal challenges. That personal healing keeps her striving to do all she can to bring joy and hope into the hearts of others. There is a special place in her heart for those children, adults, veterans and their families with which she shares her time. For Brigid, they are always a special addition to her own family.

Brigid is continuously motivated by the incredible love and life-long connections created between so many special people within the charity. The time shared with these wonderful kids, injured veterans, and their families leaves her knowing that neither she nor USSA recipients are ever truly alone!

“The greatest impact of this charity is helping provide the inspiration for others to get involved,” she said.  “We pass on our vision to see beyond the pain, disability, and hardships of serious illnesses. We know we all will endure loss, but the sharing in our work has created a mechanism of hope and healing for the children, the families and for those who help by volunteering their time and resources for this important cause”.

“I have been greatly inspired and at the same time humbled by the positive national impact this vision has created,” she said.

Brigid works with television, radio, print, and digital media across the country and the response from those who get involved is overwhelming. Her plan is to inspire persons to become optimistically intertwined in the lives of others and make a real difference. Her efforts have been successful beyond the charity’s expectations, with thousands of people experiencing a unique way to share hope and create new friendships.

Brigid plans to continue working with a strong Board of Directors, Major Operating Officers, Advisory Council, and Youth Outdoor Leaders to build a charity of caring people – all with the same mission – to provide joy and hope in the lives of needy children and injured veterans.  “I feel very blessed to be given the opportunity to operate God’s charity,” she said.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

USSA Epilogue – Composed by Brigid O’Donoghue, around the age of 12:

Growing up in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, Pete Normington was a 1972 graduate of Lincoln High school, earning National Honor society recognition for academic achievement. After earning acceptance into the University of Wisconsin Madison, Pete earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1977, with a major in Economics, and an emphasis on Agricultural Economics courses. He then furthered his studies at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with a Bachelors of Science from the College of Natural Resources with his fish biology major in 1977.

Pete began his work experience at the age of 15, working summers on the familys expanding Ocean Spray cranberry marsh. When combined with a summer of track repair crew work on the Soo Line railroad he learned the value of hard physical work in any upbringing and future career.

After graduating from college, Pete was employed as an agriculture sales and marketing person at Central Sands Produce. Several years later he rejoined the family cranberry marsh, where he currently serves as the President and General Manager of Saddle Mound Cranberry Co, Inc. He also served on the Ocean Spray Wisconsin Advisory Council for several years. He is also co-inventor of a patented hybrid cranberry vine, the HyRed developed at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

In addition, he is currently serving as the Vice President of Bio-Tec Research, Inc, a company specializing in the highest quality deer and elk nutritional products. He acts in a nutritional formulation capacity for the company.

Pete has three sons; Matt is an UWSP graduate and investment agent for Metropolitan Life Insurance. Wes is a UWSP graduate with a fishery major, and currently works on the family cranberry marsh. Scott is the youngest and also attending UWSP with an economics major. All of his sons have participated significantly in USSA volunteer projects.

Pete’s hobbies include hunting, fishing, waterskiing, and basketball. These activities have helped fuel his passion for the outdoors, and strengthened his resolve to provide an opportunity for all to enjoy, regardless of their circumstances in life.

Along with founder Brigid O’Donoghue, Pete helped launch USSA from its very inception. His duties are varied and can consist of assignments from being an onsite volunteer to advising and giving the charity direction.

In addition, he helps conduct a prison ministry, in which inmates are guided towards a better life after they are released. A deep founded respect for the value of human life and family experience helps make USSA an easy choice for Pete’s participation in the charity.

Peter J. Normington

It is a privilege to have been asked to participate on the United Special Sportsman’s Alliance (USSA) board of directors

My name is Jeff Davis, and I was born and raised in Oshkosh Wisconsin.  I moved to Stevens Point in June of 1985 to join the Stevens Point Fire Department.  My entire career of 32 years was spent serving the community as a fireman/paramedic and the last 3 years as the Assistant Chief.  I like to believe that the example I tried to set each day was for the safety and well-being of our community and to foster the growth and betterment of the Brotherhood of which I was a part of.

My wife Ellen and I, reside on 120 acres of land in Amherst Junction wherein 1996 I built our log home.  We enjoy raising our kids (chocolate labs) and spoiling our nieces and nephews!  Our home is a respite for family and friends who enjoy nature and wildlife.

My passion for the outdoors and giving to others extends to volunteering my time for several organizations.  Some of these are; National Wild Turkey Federation, Ageless Aviation Dream Flight, Tails & Trails Dog Park, and the Ice Age Trail Alliance.

I have been involved with the USSA for 10 years being a mentor and providing deer and turkey hunting opportunities for disabled veterans and physically challenged children.  There is nothing more rewarding than to witness the freedom of independence the outdoors brings to these individuals.

I hope to serve the board in the manner in which I live my life; with passion, commitment, selflessness and as a servant leader.

I grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and graduated from Catholic High School in 1981. After high school I attended Louisiana State University Health Science Center and graduated in 1987 in Cardiopulmonary Science. From there I pursued a career in Perfusion Technology at the University of Texas, graduating with my second degree in 1990. I currently live in Lafayette, Louisiana where I have been practicing as a certified Clinical Perfusionist since graduation. Working as a Perfusionist, I helped start up a pediatric heart program, robotic heart program, and helped implement minimally invasive heart valve procedures in Lafayette. I have been involved in thousands of heart procedures since graduation. I am currently co-owner of Louisiana Perfusion Services in Lafayette.

I have been married to my wife Renee for 27 years, and we have 3 children, Amanda, Adam and Austin. Our older two children are in college, and we lost Austin when he was 15 years old. I have enjoyed a lifelong passion for hunting and fishing, which I share with my father and boys. Now Dad, Adam and I go when our schedule permits since Adam lives in another town while in college.

My wife and I became involved with USSA when our youngest son, Austin, died in February of 2013. Austin loved hunting and fishing, which he did every chance he could. In lieu of flowers, Renee and I asked our friends and family to make memorial donations to USAA in Austin’s name, so that special needs children could enjoy what Austin enjoyed. In June 2014, we witnessed first-hand the amazing things this organization has to offer when the Catching Bigger Fish fishing tournament was held in Austin’s memory. The success of the event would not have been possible without the efforts of USSA. I am proud to be affiliated with this USSA and look forward to seeing what the future holds.

I have been married to my husband, Brent, for 27 years. We have two sons, 22 and 24 years old. Brent has owned White Ghost Ranch for over 25 years. White Ghost Ranch has been a passion of Brent’s since he was a young boy, and I am lucky enough to be married to him and blessed to enjoy the fruit of his labor. Hard work, sweat and tears has given us the opportunity to give back with our time and resources to so many; our passion is terminally ill and disabled children and young adults. We have partnered with USSA for over 18 years and have been blessed enough to have hosted 27 hunts as of 2019. I love children and especially hosting them, and feel very blessed to be able to love on them. USSA and these children have changed my life forever.

Brigid O’Donoghue grew up in a large family of Irish descent. The oldest daughter in a family with nine kids found responsibility knocking at her door early in life. With limited financial resources, the Milwaukee, WI, native worked at jobs after school and on weekends so she could attend the area’s best private educational facilities. Her physically and mentally challenged younger brother was an inspiration during Brigid’s formative years. (read the Prologue below). Her brother’s physical challenges created a calling in her heart and inspired her to reach out to others who were less fortunate and needed her help. Unfortunately, her own personal health challenges threw her a curve ball. After numerous lengthy stays in and out of the hospital, including major surgery to remove scar tissue from a high fever, Brigid began picking up her life where it had left off years before.

The entrepreneur in her led her to begin her own business selling tractor-trailer loads of ground bark to landscapers throughout the Midwest. In addition, she blazed new trails by trucking bagged cottonseed from the cotton gin producers in the South to feed mills in the North. At the same time, she raised two wonderful children, despite continual abuse and lack of support in her relationship. Her daughter, Lindsey, is a Registered Nurse (like her grandmother) and lives in Milwaukee. Her son, Kenny, is a journeyman and works in the refrigeration industry in San Antonio, TX. Brigid’s children are dear to her heart and provide inspiration in her life and work.

In 1998, Brigid put her feed mill and trucking knowledge to work and started a new specialized company called Bio-Tec Research, Inc., which formulates and markets North America’s highest quality deer and elk products. In addition, she forged a limited-edition fashion line called “Charnel” that features unique, tailored outdoor wear.

When a deer food customer asked Brigid if she knew of any critically ill hunters who would be interested in a free deer hunt at his ranch, the seeds were sown for the birth of USSA. Brigid contacted a Texas man with cancer who flew to the ranch and harvested a nice buck. From that point, USSA’s wheels were in motion. By helping him realize his dream and spending time with this man, Brigid was inspired and knew in her heart she could pass happiness to others who were dealing with life-threatening illnesses. With a clear vision, she developed the all-volunteer United Special Sportsman Alliance in fall of 2000.

Through USSA, Brigid observed the inspiration passed on in her work creates special moments that make even the most difficult of life’s challenges especially meaningful. There is never a time that she does not look back and realize how fortunate she is to have overcome so many personal challenges. That personal healing keeps her striving to do all she can to bring joy and hope into the hearts of others. There is a special place in her heart for those children, adults, veterans and their families with which she shares her time. For Brigid, they are always a special addition to her own family.

Brigid is continuously motivated by the incredible love and life-long connections created between so many special people within the charity. The time shared with these wonderful kids, injured veterans, and their families leaves her knowing that neither she nor USSA recipients are ever truly alone!

“The greatest impact of this charity is helping provide the inspiration for others to get involved,” she said.  “We pass on our vision to see beyond the pain, disability, and hardships of serious illnesses. We know we all will endure loss, but the sharing in our work has created a mechanism of hope and healing for the children, the families and for those who help by volunteering their time and resources for this important cause”.

“I have been greatly inspired and at the same time humbled by the positive national impact this vision has created,” she said.

Brigid works with television, radio, print, and digital media across the country and the response from those who get involved is overwhelming. Her plan is to inspire persons to become optimistically intertwined in the lives of others and make a real difference. Her efforts have been successful beyond the charity’s expectations, with thousands of people experiencing a unique way to share hope and create new friendships.

Brigid plans to continue working with a strong Board of Directors, Major Operating Officers, Advisory Council, and Youth Outdoor Leaders to build a charity of caring people – all with the same mission – to provide joy and hope in the lives of needy children and injured veterans.  “I feel very blessed to be given the opportunity to operate God’s charity,” she said.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

USSA Epilogue – Composed by Brigid O’Donoghue, around the age of 12:

Growing up in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, Pete Normington was a 1972 graduate of Lincoln High school, earning National Honor society recognition for academic achievement. After earning acceptance into the University of Wisconsin Madison, Pete earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1977, with a major in Economics, and an emphasis on Agricultural Economics courses. He then furthered his studies at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with a Bachelors of Science from the College of Natural Resources with his fish biology major in 1977.

Pete began his work experience at the age of 15, working summers on the familys expanding Ocean Spray cranberry marsh. When combined with a summer of track repair crew work on the Soo Line railroad he learned the value of hard physical work in any upbringing and future career.

After graduating from college, Pete was employed as an agriculture sales and marketing person at Central Sands Produce. Several years later he rejoined the family cranberry marsh, where he currently serves as the President and General Manager of Saddle Mound Cranberry Co, Inc. He also served on the Ocean Spray Wisconsin Advisory Council for several years. He is also co-inventor of a patented hybrid cranberry vine, the HyRed developed at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

In addition, he is currently serving as the Vice President of Bio-Tec Research, Inc, a company specializing in the highest quality deer and elk nutritional products. He acts in a nutritional formulation capacity for the company.

Pete has three sons; Matt is an UWSP graduate and investment agent for Metropolitan Life Insurance. Wes is a UWSP graduate with a fishery major, and currently works on the family cranberry marsh. Scott is the youngest and also attending UWSP with an economics major. All of his sons have participated significantly in USSA volunteer projects.

Pete’s hobbies include hunting, fishing, waterskiing, and basketball. These activities have helped fuel his passion for the outdoors, and strengthened his resolve to provide an opportunity for all to enjoy, regardless of their circumstances in life.

Along with founder Brigid O’Donoghue, Pete helped launch USSA from its very inception. His duties are varied and can consist of assignments from being an onsite volunteer to advising and giving the charity direction.

In addition, he helps conduct a prison ministry, in which inmates are guided towards a better life after they are released. A deep founded respect for the value of human life and family experience helps make USSA an easy choice for Pete’s participation in the charity.

Peter J. Normington

My name is Annette Johnson I am married to a wonderful man Ron for nearly 29 years. I’m the mother of 3 great sons. Our oldest Shaun is married to a wonderful wife Heather; they have a 2 year old son Drake who is the light of our lives. Our 2nd son Brandon is single and a very loving and caring young man. Our youngest son Wesley has Down syndrome. Wesley has a sweet girl friend named Sara and they are planning to get married; we couldn’t be happier.

Something that our family has in common is the great outdoors; especially hunting. So when Wesley’s teacher approached me with a brochure about USSA I was very excited and got right in touch with the charity.

Our son was set up for a pheasant hunt by Spring Green, WI which is where we met USSA’s founder, Brigid O’Donoghue. I could never put into words what my son and family experience on our first USSA hunt. Ron and I were in awe of the whole concept of the charity; it wasn’t long afterwards we join on board hoping we could give back to an organization we believed in.

It has been over 4 years now since my family got involved in the charity. Brigid and I are the best of friends and love each other like sisters. We hold deep in our hearts a desire to grant children with disabilities and life-threatening illnesses free outdoor adventures.

I enjoy volunteering my time with personalized thank you cards to financial donors and those who have been volunteers, or contributed any other way. I help with the food at different events, by purchasing supplies and preparing meals. I also truly enjoy making phone calls to families and helping Brigid set up events. Being part of this charity and meeting all the families is truly a rewarding experience for me and all those who get involved.

Dean has been happily married to Deb for almost 29 years with two sons, 26 and 24 years old. Dean has a very close-knit family with 7 brothers and sisters who have jumped on board to help him operate USSA’s MN Chapter. He grew up in a construction family in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, and learned to be a handyman and jack-of-all-trades from his father. He graduated from Columbia Heights Sr. High in 1978.

He went to Anoka Technical College and became an auto mechanic in 1980. He worked as a mechanic and service manager until 1986. That’s when he quit the auto business to stay home and raise his two sons and start up a taxidermy business.

Dean suffered a near fatal gunshot wound to the chest by another deer hunter in 1988 which made a great impact on his life. It was not long afterwards he became a hunter safety instructor.

Since April 2010 Dean has been the USSA MN Representative. Dean has been involved with a lot of non-profit and charity organizations over the years. He served on the board of the MN Taxidermy Guild for the past 6 years. He started the Lakes Chapter of the MN Deer Hunters Association 19 years ago in Forest Lake. He has been President, Vice President, Board Member in that chapter and also a member of the Forest Lake Sportsmen’s Club. Dean and his friends run a mentoring program at the club teaching youth about archery. While being a Firearm Safety Instructor for almost 13 years he also teaches a class of 30 to 70 kids each summer at the Forest Lake High School.

Last summer he put on his first youth event for USSA in Minnesota. It was at the Forest Lake Sportsmen’s Club where he had an attendance of over 120 children plus parents. The special kids got to shoo 22’s, archery and shotguns. Dead said “90% of the kids never shot a gun before.” The families said it was one of the most fun events they ever experienced. There were many other attractions going on that day but that was the highlights. There was one on one instruction with every child to help them learn to shoot and be safe. The parents are also part of the events. Last falls Dean had 14 MN children bear hunting in WI; ten of them harvesting a bear. Some of the children also went on deer and turkey hunts.

Dean also took on the role of lining up taxidermists to donate free mountings for each child. Dean said, “Because many of the families know me, when the children asked me if I would do their mount for them, I couldn’t let them down. I did 6 free bear mounts and 3 deer mounts so far for the kids.” Normally it can take a year to get a mount done, but Dean worked late hours every day to make sure he had the mounts all done by Christmas for the kids. He delivered them just before Christmas and the kids all had a big surprise Christmas morning. Dean said, “Hopefully it put a smile on their faces and gave them some special memories.”

Dean added, “I feel most of us have years yet to live and a lot of experiences still ahead. Some of the USSA Children don’t. My goal is to create as many memories for the critically ill and disabled children and their families as possible in the short time some of them may have. No matter what illness, we want to make the child be the center of attention and feel like a kid without a disability or life threatening illness. The child can forget their problems and we can also help take a little stress from the parents, even if it’s just for a day.”

Dean O’Brien

Hello! My name is Wendy Kleinschmidt and I am from Mondovi, Wisconsin. I am married to the love of my like, Kirk Kleinschmidt, and we together have 2 amazing girls, Amber, who is 13, and Chloe, who is 11. Our daughter Chloe was born with spina bifida. Together as a family we love the great outdoors.

When we were introduced to USSA it was a wonderful experience. After experiencing Summerfest and meeting wonderful people, we were hooked on this great organization.

I have since become active with helping Brigid with arts and crafts at Summerfest, sharing information and news on Facebook, as well as recruiting bright new smiling faces to this wonderful organization. Words can’t describe what it is like to see their faces light up, and to hear their stories about the fish they caught, or their outdoor experience.

This is an organization where once you are there, your family grows in size and I am glad that we are a part of it, and my family has grown by the hundreds.

Hello, my name is Kevin Cook, my wife Peggy and I have six children, all boys, and all of them have some disability or special need. Peggy works with disabled or challenged adults, and I work for the State of Wisconsin in the Department of Corrections or Department of Health Services as a Correctional Officer. I have been a Sergeant and Captain for 26 years, having worked with many individuals that are incarcerated I learned that many of them either had some disability or disorder, and most came from broken homes, or had been through the foster care system gave me a feeling that I wanted to help other children have opportunities for a better life, so Peggy and I became foster parents.

We got involved with USSA back in 2000 when Peggy was at Wal-Mart with our adopted son John and met Brigid O’Donoghue when Brigid approached her curious about her involvement with persons with disabilities, two perfect strangers who met and talked for about 20 minutes. By the end of the conversation Peggy and Brigid had discovered they were both women with huge hearts and a passion for taking care of people who are less fortunate or who have some disability. Brigid told Peggy about her charity that she had founded to grant wishes for outdoor activities such as fishing and hunting trips for children with disabilities or life-threatening illnesses. Peggy told Brigid in addition to working with disabled people too, we also were foster parents and had recently adopted one of our foster children that had special needs. The conversation ended with Brigid inviting us to bring our son to a pheasant hunting event that USSA was sponsoring.

Brigid contacted us with the details of the event and Peggy took our son John to the event. He was successful in being able to shoot several birds, during this event and it became clearly evident to Peggy that this organization was one of a kind and everyone was so family oriented and the children not treated as being different or picked on or bullied. To see the smiles on these children’s faces and the appreciation they had for getting the opportunity warmed Peggy’s heart, she knew it was an organization founded on love and faith by a woman who has blessed herself by overcoming life-threatening illnesses and wanted to give something back to others. Peggy and I discussed the charity and the opportunity that it offered to our son John, and we decided that this was something we wanted to get more involved.

Over time we both became more involved with the charity in any way possible little things at first just by helping find more children to get involved with the opportunities, then by volunteering our time at the Summerfest event. Each year we got more and more involved now some of our children also volunteer their time. We are proud to have been invited into the USSA family, and the charity kept growing and growing. Through the years our level of involvement grew, and now both of us devote much of our time to helping with the charity in any way we can.

My name is Annette Johnson I am married to a wonderful man Ron for nearly 29 years. I’m the mother of 3 great sons. Our oldest Shaun is married to a wonderful wife Heather; they have a 2 year old son Drake who is the light of our lives. Our 2nd son Brandon is single and a very loving and caring young man. Our youngest son Wesley has Down syndrome. Wesley has a sweet girl friend named Sara and they are planning to get married; we couldn’t be happier.

Something that our family has in common is the great outdoors; especially hunting. So when Wesley’s teacher approached me with a brochure about USSA I was very excited and got right in touch with the charity.

Our son was set up for a pheasant hunt by Spring Green, WI which is where we met USSA’s founder, Brigid O’Donoghue. I could never put into words what my son and family experience on our first USSA hunt. Ron and I were in awe of the whole concept of the charity; it wasn’t long afterwards we join on board hoping we could give back to an organization we believed in.

It has been over 4 years now since my family got involved in the charity. Brigid and I are the best of friends and love each other like sisters. We hold deep in our hearts a desire to grant children with disabilities and life-threatening illnesses free outdoor adventures.

I enjoy volunteering my time with personalized thank you cards to financial donors and those who have been volunteers, or contributed any other way. I help with the food at different events, by purchasing supplies and preparing meals. I also truly enjoy making phone calls to families and helping Brigid set up events. Being part of this charity and meeting all the families is truly a rewarding experience for me and all those who get involved.

My name is Kim Moslander. I live in Granite City, Illinois with my five children. We became involved with USSA when a nurse from Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri asked my son if he would be interested in going fishing the day before he had open heart surgery in June of 2008. Since then, my son has participated in several USSA events and became a youth outdoor leader. That first fishing trip and his plans to go to the Summerfest event helped him get through a really rough ordeal and gave us something to look forward to during his recovery.

I feel that it is now my turn to help other families enjoy USSA events and help out in any way possible. I plan on staying involved for the rest of my life and I am encouraging my children to do the same.

D. has been married to his wife Desiree since 1990 and they are proud parents of two wonderful children. He started Outback Taxidermy in 1993 in Youngsville, North Carolina, he is very passionate about the quality of work and the memories he preserves for his clients. He began his career in the taxidermy industry working at Carolina Fur Dressing in 1986 and continues to work there today. He is certified in Whitetail Deer by the North Carolina Taxidermist Association and also has earned his “Award of Excellence” in Whitetail Deer from the North Carolina Taxidermist Association. D. enjoys competing in taxidermy shows around the nation. He also served as a board member for the North Carolina Taxidermy Association.

In 2000 D. was diagnosed with cancer. Since battling cancer, D. has become very passionate and dedicated to helping others that are battling this terrible disease. When the opportunity arose to be a part of the USSA as the Taxidermy Consultant, it was a very easy decision for him to make. Everyone will be touched by this disease in one way or another sometime in their life time. It can be devastating, not just on the patient and their bodies, but on their entire family, mentally and financially. D’s mission is to bring a ray of sunshine into the lives of these families to ease the pain or help to forget the hardships of hospitals and treatments, if just for a moment, that are a part of cancer and other critical diseases.

Originally from Port Edwards, Wisconsin, Darrell spent 15 years serving the Boy Scouts of America, then as the chairman of the Wood County Advisory Committee, helping protect and preserve the area’s delicate wetlands. He’s married with two sons and a grandson, and his hobbies include hunting, fishing, trapping, canoeing, beekeeping, and of course, volunteering for USSA as our Director of Veteran Hunts.

“It’s my love of spending time with family and friends that make it so easy to share it with those who are not blessed with that opportunity,” says Darrell. “Just seeing the smile on a child’s face when they catch their first bluegill, or a tear in the eye of a wounded warrior because someone cared enough to take them hunting brings a reward that can’t be explained in words. You feel it in your heart, and in your soul.”

My name is Adam Bernarde; my family consists of my wife, Lisa, my three kids, Sara Beth, Hunter, Lillian, and all the various dogs. I got the love of the outdoors from my Dad. As early as 3 years old he would carry me on his shoulders while coon hunting. I in turn have the honor and privilege to do the same with my own kids, and they have shown me that they are my greatest joy in the field.

I started teaching hunter safety 10 years ago and enjoy teaching the kids as well as all the adults that take the course.

How did I get started with USSA? Well this enthusiastic lady Brigid calls me at 10:00 PM. she tells me about a hunt that she is putting on about 5 mile from my house, but needs some help. Brigid asks if I can help her out with a hunter education refresher course. After she explained who this hunt was for, I just couldn’t say no.

The reason I couldn’t say no was because of a country song that just came out. You see my wife and I just had our first child. A little girl we named Sara Beth Hope Bernarde. It only took five years and an in-vitro clinic to get her. Well this country song comes out and tells a story of Sara Beth on how she gets diagnosed with cancer when she turns sixteen. I thought of all the good fortune that I have had in my life and realized that without my daughter having the opportunity to be in the field with me it was not complete. So, a month after her birth she started to ride along with me when I checked traps. Having my kids in the field with me has since been the greatest joy in life.

I wish to share the opportunity and provide the knowledge to all that I can, so that you and your families can have your own memories in the field. It has been said that your worth is not what you leave this world with but what you leave behind. We all must do what we can to provide for the future. Teaching the next generations on how to be safe while handling firearms and safety a field is my chosen part.

May you all have a safe and memorable time a field in whatever endeavors you choose!

Adam Bernarde

I started hunting with my dad when I was 2 years old.  I knew from the beginning that it was something I would enjoy.  For me hunting isn’t just something I do, it’s a way of life and who I am.  Harvesting an animal is just a small part of it, the real enjoyment is being out there and watching what nature has to offer.  As I look back on hunting, I always considered it “My time”, until I discovered the USSA. Now it’s “Our time”!

A few years ago, I received a bear harvest permit and I received a letter from the USSA, asking for me to donate the tag to a well deserving child. After speaking with Brigid, I told her I would donate it if I could take the child hunting. This could not have come at a better time in my life, as I was dealing with a very difficult life changing situation. My son, daughter and I started baiting as I have done since I was 16 years old, and 3 months later the hunt was finally here. When the child, his father, and a very good friend of his showed up to hunt, I was very nervous, as I wanted more than anything for him to connect on his trophy. The excitement the child showed when it all came together was priceless and all the bear hunters around the area were at the registration station when we went to register it. They were all so happy for him, and a friend came up to me and shook my hand and thanked me for all of this, as he also had a child with the same struggles in life. As my eyes welled up with tears, I realized my kids and I were part of something “bigger” than us all. It was my calling and when people offer thanks for this gesture, I tell them its side of me that loves to hunt and introduce others to the great sport of bear hunting. Over the years, I have taken several children hunting and witnessed them harvesting their first animal. I noticed that the bear hunters have to turn away for a moment, because it’s not right for people to see us “big tough” bear guides with tears in our eyes. But more than that, I meet so many great people willing and offering to help me with the hunts. I always tell the families and children, “It is a group effort, so please thank everyone”. We, as hunters, agree and disagree about different things about hunting, but we walk away as friends, and the hounds-men in the area are always willing to take the kids hunting with their hounds if my baits go “cold”. Over the last few years, I have seen a unity develop with the hunters in the area, due to the kind gestures of people of the USSA Family. I truly believe that the future of hunting is in the hands of the sportsmen and women, and it is extremely important to introduce people, who normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to hunt, to this great sport. I enjoy this great sport and will continue to work with the USSA in their efforts, to make dreams and wishes come true for the kids and our veterans.

Taking the children hunting over the last few years, I’d like to believe that I taught them things about hunting the black bear, but as I sit in the stand with them, I realize that they are teaching me just as much and probably more. Every child seems to teach me a little more about myself and how to face the day to day challenges in life with pride and dignity. When the families show up to hunt, they seem to have a great deal of appreciation for things in life, and when they thank me for the hunt, I tell them there is no need for thanks, because my thank you is the smiles and excitement they allowed me to see and share in their child and family. The animal, no matter what size, is always a trophy, but the real satisfaction is in the “Trophy Hugs and Smiles.”

I will work very hard for the USSA, as the bear hunting coordinator, so please consider this as my offering to do so.

It wasn’t long after attending a USSA fishing trip and being a guide for disabled and terminal children that Clay (Clayton) Andrew Dyer joined United Special Sportsman Alliance.

Clay is a 28 year old professional bass tournament angler and his career has offered him many opportunities throughout the USA. He started fishing at a very young age and it wasn’t long before he realized what his passion was.

He was born into a Christian family and brought up where religion was a strong priority. He said that Jesus Chris is his best friend and number one sponsor. Clayton’s Christian beliefs have allowed him to share his life experience by becoming a public speaker and donating his time taking a special child fishing.

Clay finds angling to be helping so many of these children communicate and find joy outside of their grief. Clayton stated, “Taking a special child fishing can be one of the most rewarding experiences an adult can have with a child.” He also stated that within the sport of fishing, it doesn’t matter if you’re sick or not, “Anyone can fish.”

With years of dedication to the sport, Clay has gained confidence and insight into obstacles along the way. His future goal is to broaden his devotion to helping the needy and share his personal story with them. He added, “I am really looking forward to seeing all the wonderful things that we at USSA can do together to bring joy to those in need.

My name is Hunter Ridenour, and I’m 24 years old and live in Dickinson, TN. I LOVE to fish! I live and sleep fishing! It’s truly an obsession with me. When it comes to fishing, my mom says I’m like a walking encyclopedia. That’s a good thing, I guess! You see, I have a “disability” that has given me the “ability” to be like this. It’s called aspergers. Aspergers is on the autism spectrum and has affected many of my social and language/communication skills. One out of 150 children is affected with a form of autism. That’s more than any other childhood disorder! I also have dyslexic characteristics. School has really been a challenge for me. Not only have I had to learn how to make friends and to not take everything so literal, but I’ve really had to learn how to deal with bullies.

Before getting involved with USSA, I was very shy and backwards. I had a very hard time making friends and carrying on a conversation – that’s because all I wanted to talk about was fishing. Now I am much more confident, and have quite a few friends. I’ve learned a new sport from one of my friends that I enjoy – bull riding! This makes my mom nervous, but she enjoys watching me ride. I’m not afraid to talk or answer questions, even in front of a group, and I’ve even learned to make better eye contact while doing all this.

USSA has given me many opportunities that have helped me to “grow up,” have fun, meet wonderful people, and do a lot of things my mom and I couldn’t have done on our own. I can’t wait to get a chance to give back and share some of these experiences with others.

“We all face adversity in our life. However, it’s not the adversity, but how we react to it, that will determine the joy and happiness in our life.” – Author Unknown

My name is Eric Knutson. I was born on January 14, 1987 in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin. In December of 2011 I moved to the Waupaca area and shortly after married my wonderful wife, Kendra. My love for hunting and fishing began when I was very young, with my grandfather taking me fishing every chance he got. Then when I was old enough to go hunting, it became a tradition for my uncle, my cousin, my dad and myself. We would go deer hunting together every year. In 2012 I reconnected with a longtime friend, Chris Dekker, and soon began hunting together every chance we had. Shortly after we thought it would be fun to start trying to help introduce the joys of the outdoors to others that are a little less fortunate than ourselves.

At the time I was working with a gentleman that I had heard his sister was part of an organization that guided hunting and fishing trips for just that. Come to find out his sister was Brigid O’Donoghue, the founder of USSA. Shortly after getting in contact with Brigid, we went on our first USSA hunt. The experience of that hunt was second to none. Although we did not harvest a deer on that hunt, it was still one of the best hunts I’ve ever been on and I knew from that point on this was something I had to continue to do.

Dalton Brownfield, 24 years old was born and raised in Urbana, Illinois. He worked in construction before injured in a work-related explosion. The accident left him with 2nd and 3rd-degree burns covering 85% of his body.

Hunting and fishing was always a huge part of his life for as long as he could remember. He harvested his first deer at ten years old and hooked on whitetail hunting ever since. Besides hunting, another lifelong passion was bass fishing. He enjoys fishing tournaments, pond, and river fishing. When he is not hunting or fishing, he enjoys spending time with his fiancé and daughter.

Unfortunately for Dalton, the accident was a massive roadblock for his outdoor passions. Many things that were once easy to do became a challenge. He worked hard through therapy in hopes to continue doing the things he enjoyed most.

In October 2017, he helped guide a deer hunt for a child battling a life-threatening illness at USSA’s IL Dream Hunt in Harrisburg, IL. Dalton said, “To say the Dream Hunt changed my life is an understatement. I hope to continue to work with children and show them that no matter the situation, the outdoors is always a getaway.”

Joel has served USSA for many years as a member, board member, vice president, president and currently chairman of the board. He has worked with government officials to change state rules that kept some of our special children out of hunting activities due to their age.

Joel grew up on a farm in Northern Illinois and was All-State in two sports while in high school and also competed as a scholarship athlete at the Division 1 level. He graduated with a degree in education and went on to a successful career as a teacher and coach. His 1981 Fennimore WI Cross Country Team won their 5th consecutive State Championship (a state record) and set an all time scoring record by skunking the entire sectional competition and scoring a mere 23 points at State.

He was honored with Commendations for Excellence from the Wisconsin State Senate and the White House. He later returned to college for a Masters Degree in Education Administration and retired 19 years later as a school principal.

Eleven years ago, Joel, his wife Cheri, son Jesse and daughter Brianna started raising Rocky Mountain Elk on their farm in Monticello, WI. Shortly after they started this venture, Chronic Wasting Disease appeared in Wisconsin. At a time when some government agencies were causing a panic with misinformation, Joel had researched the disease extensively and was able to public point out misconceptions at symposiums and legislative meetings.

His knowledge and skills caught the attention of the Wisconsin Commercial Deer and Elk Farmers Association who voted him on their Board of Directors at the first meeting he attended. He went on to lead them as President of the state organization and helped rebuild them.

At the national level, US Senator Feingold requested that Joel lead the first Summit Meeting in Washington DC for all the federal agencies.

The North American Elk Breeders Association also acknowledged his achievement and after being elected to their Board of Directors, he was voted in as President the same day. He is the only Wisconsin member to ever hold that title. 2006 marked the organization of the Non-Traditional Farmers and Ranchers Coalition. This umbrella group for the deer, elk and exotic breeders was formed to protect the game farm industry from the unfair treatment by animal rights groups and government agencies. Joel was elected as its first President and has held that position ever since.

In 2005, he was asked to speak at the 2nd International CWD Symposium. In 2009, USDA/Aphis requested him to also speak at the 3rd International CWD Symposium held in Utah. In the same year, US Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, requested that Joel be present at a special closed door meeting in Washington as one of the top 25 leaders in livestock producers in the nation. At that meeting, Joel gave an oral and written presentation on the National Animal ID System. Joel has made regular trips to DC since 2003 and shares USSA stories with legislators about children from their own districts.

He has been featured speaker at the state and national association from Texas to Alaska and always finds a way to include USSA in his presentations. In 2009, Joel formed the National Institute for Human Slaughter. This organization conducts 3rd party evaluations of packing plants to guarantee that animals are not abused or mistreated.

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Eric Badofsky is a 27-year advertising and marketing veteran and founder of Badofsky & Luft Advertising. In his spare time Eric enjoys wingshooting, fishing, hiking, photography and writing, as well as spending quality time outdoors with his wife Ellen and their two children, Ben, 17, and Jessica, 12.

“The reason I joined USSA back in 2003 is pretty simple, really,” says Eric. “I realize how blessed I am to have two happy, healthy children who enjoy the outdoors as much as I do, and I felt it was important to share those blessings with ailing and disabled youngsters who aren’t as fortunate. It’s truly an honor to serve on the Board of such a richly-rewarding charity, and working with Brigid and the other hard-working volunteers at USSA has changed my life forever. I look forward to spending many years ahead as part of this wonderful team.”

Bryan grew up in northern Wisconsin (Bayfield and Ashland) and graduated from Ashland High in 1989 and University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire in 1993. After college he moved to the Milwaukee area where he worked as a headhunter for the IT industry for seven years.

Bryan was involved in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program while in college at UW-Eau Claire and also for the seven years he lived in the Milwaukee area after college. He still has a very close bond with his little brother (who is not 30 years old).

Bryan met his wife in a round-about way while fishing in Canada in 1998 and decided to quit his job, sell his house and move to the Twin Cities area in 2000 to begin a new chapter in his life. He and Jan married in 2002 and have three wonderful kids. They built a house in Scandia, MN in 2006 where they currently reside.

After working in sales for twelve years, he and his business partner decided to start up their own company in 2005. Relay Networks buys and sells IT, telecom and wireless equipment and has customers in over 35 countries at the moment. They currently employ 11 people and recently moved to a new facility in Lino Lakes.

Bryan got involved with USSA in 2010 through Dean O’Brien, the Minnesota State Representative. He has been involved with the annual youth event for USSA in Forest Lake, MN and has chaperoned numerous USSA kids on bear and turkey hunts. He thoroughly enjoys helping kids (fortunate and less fortunate alike) and has gotten to know quite a few of the USSA families on a personal level. He loves how the kids and families are able to get out and fish or hunt for a weekend and leave their daily problems behind, at least for a few days. He looks forward to helping more kids and Veterans fulfill their outdoor dreams.

Bryan enjoys hunting, fishing, golfing, trapping pesky gophers and most of all hanging out with his family.