June 11, 2011
Dear Donors, Volunteers and Supporters... and Recipients,
Times are tough.
Jobs lost. Budgets are getting tighter. Insurance premiums and out of pocket expenses are increasing. Creditors calling all hours of the day. Expenses are going up and income is... well, I can personally say, it is shrinking.
Hunters Helping Hunters, Inc. (HHH) remains ready to help people associated with hunting ease some of their financial hardships due to high medical or funeral costs. HHH has been privileged to help numerous families offset some financial hardships and is poised to exceed the $20,000 mark in grants given.
As Chairman of the Board, I have had the honor of hearing first hand the gratitude expressed by some of the recipients. Mostly I get their inability to be able to express their gratitude in words but it doesn't matter, I understand. As one recipient told me, "I cannot find the words how to tell the Board Members what it means to me and my family for people who I do not know to pay MY doctor bill when I had no idea how I was going to be able to do pay it myself".
The other thing our recipients share with me is the disbelief that they were in a financial situation in which they could not pay their medical bills in the first place. I hear their desperation as they describe their situation while their loved one continues to need medical care or the hospital or insurance company lacks compassion for their situation. Sometimes I am envious of our Vice President and Director of Assistance, Mike Bell, who gets to inform them that their "application for assistance has been APPROVED!" Being part of the solution is great!
As I write this letter, we are about to hit the $20,000 mark in financial assistance given. For the remaining year 2011, HHH will work on getting the word out to those needing help and strive to achieve $25,000 in assistance. We need your help more than ever. Not only are times tough financially, but our schedules seemed to get packed as well. Currently, the Vice President of Fundraising and Vice President of Media are vacant. We are often offered assistance in these areas but rarely offered the commitment to take charge of and take ownership of these two positions of responsibility. Having those two positions filled would assure the funds would be there when needed and keep the information to our donors, volunteers, supporters and recipients through our web site current and flowing. I hope my next letter will be praising the efforts of those that found a way to step up and be part of this wonderful experience of helping others.
As always, the generous support of our donors and volunteers allows HHH to always be at the ready to help our own. I look forward to finishing strong in 2011. Thank you for your continued support. May you be blessed in return.
Ken Zeringue
Chairman of the Board
Hunters Helping Hunters, Inc.