"Benefit4Kids"

Mission Statement

When Amy Pray died on April 21, 1996 at the age of 15 it left a hole in our hearts that we know will never be filled, yet we know for her, we must go on. Amy was a happy-go-lucky kid with many talents given to her by God. She was a wonderful artist, had a beautiful voice, was an excellent archer and she had a special love for the outdoors. Yet we always felt her greatest talent and the one she used most often was her ability to make others smile and feel good about themselves. Amy was very active in music and in school she joined S.A.D.D. and was active in the D.A.R.E. program. Her first love though remained archery even after she discovered boys and all the other things that go with being a teenager. When Amy died we made a promise to do whatever we could to help other children become involved in the outdoors that Amy loved.  So began Benefit4Kids.

Benefit4Kids was founded in 1998 with its’ primary mission to involve today’s children in the outdoors and the many activities it offers them.  Many of today’s children are denied the opportunity to experience the outdoors because of costs, lack of available mentors and a limited amount of facilities offering an all around outdoor experience.  Benefit4Kids works to help these children experience the outdoors through several children’s programs.  Benefit4Kids also works closely with several children’s camps designed to work with injured and ill children.  Instructors at these camps are experienced in medical procedures necessary to work with these children.  They are also experienced in archery, camping, outdoor cooking, hiking, nature and many other facets of outdoor activities.  In working with these and several other children’s camps Benefit4Kids will continue to assist many less fortunate children enjoy our great outdoors and help them to learn the morals and family values that are so often lacking today. 

Our Benefit4Kids Outdoor Wish program has been designed to allow children with debilitating conditions or terminal illnesses an opportunity to experience the outdoors in a way they would not otherwise have the chance to do.  Benefit4Kids has set up an extensive network of outdoor resources who are able to accommodate these children with special needs and who are able to offer a quality outdoor experience to them.  Benefit4Kids feels that there is no reason a child should ever be denied their request for an outdoor experience.

Imagine if you would the spectacular radiance of dawn appearing above the tree line, the fresh morning sun radiating across the lake and the mournful cry of the loon echoing in the distance.  These are but a few of nature's treasures out of the reach of many special children today.  Our Wild Dawn program has been set up to help send specially challenged children to a variety of camps specifically designed to handle their special needs.  These camps offer not only a chance for learning and experiencing the great outdoors, but help create a feeling of normalcy and camaraderie in an otherwise isolated time.    

Our Outdoor Horizons mentor program has been set up to offer a one on one learning experience for children interested in the outdoors.  Many children do not have someone close to them who is able to spend the time with them to teach them how to hunt, fish, camp, etc.  The Outdoor Horizons program will provide that for them.  Our Benefit4Kids mentors will be drawn from a pool of registered and qualified volunteers from the child’s own state and local outdoors clubs to allow for maximum time together.  These mentors will work closely with the child along with their parent or guardian and will be held to the highest ethical and moral standards and will be subject to background checks.  When possible Benefit4Kids will assist in acquiring necessary equipment for the child if needed. 

As Benefit4Kids grows we will continue to add new programs and we will continually work together with national, state and local outdoor organizations in setting up special events throughout the country.  These events will include archery and hunter safety clinics, special events to raise money to help less fortunate children, Hunters for the Hungry programs and many other benefit events. We will work with Corporate America as they lend us a hand and help us to help kids.  Through their generous donations, our many programs, the many dedicated Benefit4Kids volunteers and the help of others who love the outdoors it is our hope to give children a better understanding of the outdoor world and to instill in them a love for the outdoors that will last them a lifetime. 

Sincerely, 

Board of Directors                                                                                                                         Benefit4Kids     

Always remember "dreams are for dreamers, for only a dreamer can make them come true".  God Bless.

Steve Pray