1To every thing there is a season.... Ecclesiastes 3:1

2013 Information Guide

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Kenyon was 8 when we met him in June 2012. His mother’s phone call shared his horrid story of the diagnosis that was ravaging her little boy’s body. Kenyon was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma at age 2 and was treated and remised after 2 long years. Victory, it seemed, for this family, but at a routine check-up about 1-year later, cancer of a new kind had appeared. Treatment after treatment failed to keep the tumor from growing and they were losing hope. Knowing her son’s life would end prematurely and that his battle with rhabdomyosarcoma was growing stronger everyday, his mom, Sarah, reached out to Seasons of Hope to plan his once in a lifetime adventure.

With just 10 days to get things together the team hurried to make connections for donations, volunteers came out of the woodwork and we were able to pull off some things only the good Lord can be credited with. Kenyon, Sarah and her father stepped off their airplane at Panama City Beaches International Airport and were greeted by dozens who had heard about his coming. Law Enforcement, Fire Department, EMS workers and even a band of

motorcyclists had rallied together to make this young man’s welcome one he would never forget.

Through the sounds of “hoorays” from sign waving strangers, TV cameras and the bustle of the gathered crowd, young Kenyon made his wishes known - “I wanna ride THAT one!” he said, wild eyes gazing at a Harley Davidson. The driver obliged and with helmet tightened, off he went leading the parade to Pinnacle Port that had been assembled in his honor.

Kenyon and family spent 4 days in the area; enjoying local fun spots, the beaches then making way to the water and then the woods for the grand adventure he had dreamt of. His days were long and tiring, but not a moment was wasted.

On August 4, 2012 just 2 months after his Hope Excursion, Kenyon lost his fight and left this world. We grieved and still do often, but what keeps us going is knowing we must move on to help the next young dreamer.

Andrew Cormier, now 16, loves everything about life. He loves hunting, fishing, sports, his family and his many friends. Andrew is

also loved by many!!! In June 2012 Andrew was given the sentence that no one wants to her.He was told he had liver cancer. Many people wonder how they would take being told they had cancer. I can tell you what Andrew did, he decided he was going to fight the battle!

We found out about Andrew through Toomer’s for Tuscaloosa, a Facebook page we follow, and we reached out to his Aunt to find out what Andrew might like to do. We determined this 15 yr old would be happy doing anything from fishing in a mud puddle to gigging frogs, but we decided to do a fishing/hunting (continued on pg 4)

3To every thing there is a season.... Ecclesiastes 3:1

Top Left: Kenyon (8) with Grandpa & Mom, Sarah on a hog hunt - June 2012

Top Right: Dawson (center), w/ twin brother Daigen & Braydon on “Awesome Dawson’s Hog Hunt” May 2011

Bottom Left: Ryan Teall (16) First Buck! Dec. 2012

Bottom Right: Andrew (16) w/ Ricky Lee & Keith of Car-rot Krave

Next Page: Wounded Warrior Hunt with Chris and direc-tor, Michael Harris

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weekend. We spent three fun filled days with Andrew in the woods and on the water and enjoy every opportunity we have to spend with him His smile can light up an entire room.

Dawson and his twin brother Daigen are identical in almost every way, except one. Dawson was born with a birth defect and his arms never grew past the elbow. That didn’t stop Dawson from taking a 184 lb hog on “Awesome Dawson’s” Hope Excursion.

We have also provided trips for Wounded Warriors and several other special cases, one recently, a 12 year old who lost his Daddy to cancer. Kyle’s world was turned upside down. He and his dad loved fishing and hunting and Kyle wasn’t sure if he would get to enjoy those opportunities again. His aunt, now SOH Team member, Kelly reached out to Michael regarding trips for kids with these circumstances. It was another first for the team, but an opportunity to touch another life.Without hesitation, Michael arranged a hog hunt for Kyle and he has gone on other trips as part of their JR Support TEAM. “It helps the kids coming in if there are other kids around them. They like feeling like just a regular kid doing regular things.”

If you’ve ever taken a child fishing, or hunting I don’t have to explain to you the smiles that cross their faces when they feel the tug on the line or set their sites on

“the big one”. For the children we reach, their first cast could very well be their last.

For children such as Kenyon who lost his battle shortly after his adventure with Seasons of Hope or Ryan, a 15 year old whose battle ended in June 2013. Ryan became very close to the team, spending time with them often and reminding us just how precious every moment is. Ryan’s legacy lives on through donations being made, in his name, for others to have the opportunities to make their own special memories in the great outdoors. Ryan will be honored at our upcoming Banquet in September with his mother Kerry and father Byron accepting his honorary TEAM SOH plaque on his behalf.

In addition to outdoor adventures, every year through “Alan’s Angel’s” our community outreach program, we give back to those who support us by helping the elderly, supporting local, needy families around Christmas time by providing gifts and a Christmas meal. In 2012 we were able to sponsor two families and we hope to help more this season. You can read more about the man who inspired this program on our website.

We are excited to announce that our very own, first of its kind, accessible boat is being built at Miller Marine in Southport, FL. The boat, a 21’ modified deck boat, will not only be wheelchair accessible, but accessible to all types of disabled people. An aluminum framed area will cover half the boat and allow boaters to have adequate shade and protection from the elements and there will be aluminum railings around the entire boat. It will feature a swing arm that will allow disabled passengers to be lowered in and out of the water safely to experience the full joy of being out on the water. (SEE VIDEO)

Future plans for Seasons of Hope include beginning a mentoring program where we will nurture and educate children in the beauty of the great outdoors. We will be arranging hunter’s safety courses, teaching other safety practices, and doing projects like making lures. All kids, disabled and non, will be able to participate.

It takes a team effort to make all of this possible. We have a core team and are always looking for dedicated volunteers.

5To every thing there is a season.... Ecclesiastes 3:1

Michael Harris,Director,

Coordinator

Johnny Harris, Assistant Director,

Field Support

Mike MooreField Coordinator

Pensacola

Bryen Ballard,Field Coordinator

Pensacola

Joey Sostheim,Field SupportPanama City

Kelly Keefe,Tech Support &

Marketing

TEAM SEASONS OF HOPE

Not pictured: the countless volunteers who commit their time and resources to make our programs possible.

The team is led by Michael Harris who for the past 7years, along with his daddy Johnny, has worked with several organizations that provide hunts for people who are terminally ill, disabled and physically challenged. Today, Michael can say he has been on both sides of the adventure. After tragedy struck 4 years ago, he thought he might never fish or hunt again. In a freak accident, while helping a friend build a pole barn, 23 sheets of plywood fell on him, crushing his spine. His injuries rendered him a C5/C7 quadriplegic and the outlook was grim. Michael had already shared the vision for Seasons of Hope and it’s formation was in progress before the accident. His family and supporters feared they might be birthing Michael’s vision in his honor, but God had other plans. Michael beat the odds, the organization was established and Michael serves as whole-heartedly as before from the confinds of his wheelchair.

SOH JR SUPPORT TEAM

Braydon, 10 Dawson, 9 Daigen, 9 Kyle, 12 Ryan, 14 Brandon, 16

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Since 2010 Seasons of Hope, Inc., a nonprofit 501c3 organization based in Panama City, FL, has been providing outdoor adventures, such as hunting, fishing and camping for children suffering with debilitating and terminal diseases and disorders. All contributions are tax deductible.

Our hands can reach only as far as our help and we need your help. Funding for our programs comes from generous contributors throughout the year and from our fundraising efforts; our biggest being our Annual Banquet.

To make a contribution to Seasons of Hope, Inc. you can do so online at www.seasonsofhopeinc.org/donate or mail checks made payable to Seasons of Hope, Inc. to:

Seasons of Hope, Inc. 1205 Buena Vista Blvd.Panama City, FL 32401

YOU CAN HELP

CORPORATE SPONSORSIf your business is interested in being a corporate sponsor, please contact Michael Harris to discuss your level of involvement. We appreciate our corporate supporters and make sure the public knows about your generousity. Some sponsors wish to remain anonymous and that is okay, too. We also allow our corporate sponsors to join us on a Hope Excursion to experience, first hand, the blessing of helping others through Seasons of Hope. If you’d like more information about becoming a corporate sponsor, please contact Michael Harris - 850-630-8187 or email, mharris@seasonsofhopeinc.org

BANQUET SPONSORSIf your business is interested in being a Banquet sponsor, please contact Michael Harris to discuss your level of involvement. Banquet sponsors can contribute items for our raffles, silent autions or doorprizes, sponsor a table (your company decorates one or more tables by decorating using your products, ideas, etc. Financial sponsors of our Banquet can will have their business banner displayed during the banquet and, depending on the level of contribution, can have your logo added to our marketing materials for the banquet.Michael Harris - 850-630-8187 or email, mharris@seasonsofhopeinc.orgBryen Ballard - 850-232-0592 or email, bballard@seasonsofhopeinc.org

BECOME A VOLUNTEERVolunteering with Seasons of Hope is a rewarding experience. We cannot do what we do without help. From sharing our program materials in an intential, dedicated manner, to being support in the field, there are plenty of ways that you can get involved and make an impact.

If you have a particular skill or talent that you feel you could lend to Seasons of Hope, or if you just want more information about becomming involved, call Michael Harris - 850-630-8187 or email, mharris@seasonsofhopeinc.org. We’d love to hear from you!

There are no paid staff, support of volunteer members in the Seasons of Hope, Inc. Organization.

7To every thing there is a season.... Ecclesiastes 3:1

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