BRANDON – An organization that provides outdoor adventures to children facing life-threatening illnesses netted $65,000 at two recent fundraisers in Brandon.

The Catch-A-Dream Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization working in cooperation with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Each year, Catch-A-Dream fulfills the hunting- and fishing-related wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses, such as cancer and cystic fibrosis. The foundation holds two benefit events each year: the Bass Classic and the Shotgun Jamboree.

On May 6, nearly 400 anglers in 189 boats launched on the Ross Barnett Reservoir to begin the Bass Classic. In addition to the overall competition, the event featured a couples division for male/female teams and a buddy division for an adult fishing with a youth under age 16. Teams comprised of two firefighters, two law enforcement officers, or one of each were eligible for a safety team prize. The biggest bass weighed in at 9.07 pounds. Winners received more than $20,000 in cash prizes and raised $53,000 for the charity.

Entergy and Bass Pro Shops were the major sponsors of the event.

More than 40 shooters participated in the Shotgun Jamboree, a four-person team event held in cooperation with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks at the Turcotte Range. Participants practiced on the skeet and five-stand range and shot 12-station sporting clays with provided ammunition, eye and ear protection.

John Satterwhite, former Olympic shooter and World Championship skeet shooter, served as the event’s guest host. The jamboree raised $12,000 for Catch-A-Dream.

Winchester Ammunition and MDWFP were the jamboree’s major sponsors, while the Woodmen of the World cooking team donated lunch.

“Events like these don’t happen by accident,” said Marty Brunson, executive director of the Catch-A-Dream Foundation. “Our volunteers contribute hundreds of hours behind the scenes to keep all of the moving parts working smoothly. Many sponsors provided financial support or contributed materials for gift bags and prizes to make sure these events were successful.

“We do it all so we can continue to provide once-in-a-lifetime hunting and fishing experiences for young people diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses,” he said.

For Bass Classic results and information, go to http://bassclassic.catchadream.org. To learn more about the Shotgun Jamboree, visit http://www.catchadream.org/shotgun-jamboree. For more information on the Catch-A-Dream Foundation, go to http://www.catchadream.org or call (662) 325-8149.