Arianna Evans with the check for $6000.00

The Sportsmen Portal is proud to announce that we raised our goal of $6000.00 to send two very special kids on their Hunt of A Lifetime. This past weekend we presented a check to the founder of Hunt Of A Lifetime, Tina Pattison. The Sportsmen Portal is sending Arianna Evans from Northwest PA on a South Dakota turkey hunt and Alex Wilkinson from Western PA on a Canadian whitetail hunt.

From Left To Right Back Row: Deb Faith, Jim Faith, Tina Pattison, Bill Evans, Laura Evans, Jason Say.
Front Row: Arianna Evans

The day started off at East Coast Gun Sales in Duncansville, PA where we made the check presentation and then we were off to the Majestic World Lodge for dinner.  I would like to thank the Majestic Lodge once again for opening up their gorgeous facilities to give us a fitting place for our dinner and presentations.

From Left To Right Back Row: Jim Faith, Deb Faith, Teresa Patterson, Tina Pattison
Front Row: Kyle Schwabenbauer, Arianna Evans, Jason Say

This event is always a special moment for the Sportsmen Portal team where emotions run high and this year was no different.  The team and their families had an opportunity to hear directly from the founder of Hunt Of A Lifetime, Tina Pattison, on why and how she began the organization. I won’t attempt to put her story into words, I would never do it justice, but it is a story that pulls at your heart leaving not a dry eye in the room. Tina truly is a remarkable person who has founded a remarkable movement.  We are privileged to be involved with Hunt of A Lifetime.

It is always a family affair this day and my buddy Nate Bell wanted to hop in for a photo.

We took some time to recognize that this year we lost one of our own, a young man who loved to hunt, Matthew Ciarlone, to leukemia and his dream was to go on an elk hunt.  I made the announcement that the Sportsmen Portal will be taking Matthew’s father, Michael Ciarlone, to New Mexico this October to live out Matthew’s dream. I had the opportunity and pleasure of meeting the entire Ciarlone family last week and all I can say is what a wonderful, loving family. I can’t wait to take his dad on this hunt and dedicate the trip to his son. There will be much more on this story later on.

The Entire Sportsmen Portal Team with Arianna

As I mentioned before, Arianna and her entire family joined us for the day.  It does not take long to understand why so many people talk about this little girl and how she touches lives.  She is an absolute sweetheart and we are thrilled to be sending her on her dream hunt.  She is also VERY excited for her turkey hunt and myself as well as a cameraman will be tagging along at the end of April to film the entire event for our show.  So this story is far from over.

We presented our 2nd annual Sportsmen Portal Hero award;

• Each year the Sportsmen Portal awards a special young person with the Sportsmen Portal Hero.  This award goes to very special person who loves the great outdoors.  While many of us may take for granted our ability to go outside, it is people like you Arianna who remind us to appreciate all of the time we spend in the woods.  For this Arianna we are truly grateful to you for the love and dedication you have for hunting and fishing.  This year’s Sportsmen Portal Hero is Arianna Evans!

I would personally like to thank all the families, the Mickles (last years recipient), Evans, Ciarlones, and Wilkinsons from the bottom of my heart for allowing us to be touched by you and your children.  Like I have said in previous articles, my mom has one wish in life, and that was that her children grew up to be good people.  Nothing else really mattered, and I know I became a better man for just hugging Arianna, shaking hands with Timmy Mickle and spending the evening eating dinner with the Ciarlones.  So again, to all those families who have graciously allowed the Sportsmen Portal team into their lives, WE THANK YOU.  Please take this with you, it is not us who are benefiting you with a monetary check, but you and your families who benefit all of us at the Sportsmen Portal.

The entire Sportsmen Portal Team with Arianna Evans and Tina Pattison

In a time when you sometimes find yourself wondering if there are good people out there, this event from beginning to end is a great reminder to me that when the chips are down and someone needs your help there are so many good people who step up.  I first and foremost would like to recognize and thank the field staff, Kyle Schwabenbauer, Teresa Patterson, Rob McCoy, Mike Bell, Don Ott, Fran Rodenbaugh, Andy Traister and AJ Johnson for all their hard work as they were the ones who raised the money.  I would like to thank our main sponsor, Jim and Deb Faith of East Coast Gun Sales for always providing whatever we need to make these special events happen.  Randy Culberson of Sportsmen Outfitters in Knox, PA who donated a gun to the raffle, the Clarion County Sportsmen For Youth, Medalist Hunting Clothing, Eric Richards of Coveted Waters who donated a guided fishing trip, Leighty’s Rugged Outdoor and Plano.

The entire Sportsmen Portal Team with Arianna Evans, Arianna’s Parents Bill and Laura, and Tina Pattison

I know I will probably forget some, but I also wanted to thank and list the folks who pitched in and helped us sell tickets, Steve Howard, Frank McNany, Rex Fahr, Eric Say, Kirk Byerly, Chris McCormick, Gary Bickel, Frank Litavish and Walter Strohl.  Most of all, thank you to all who pitched in and purchased a raffle ticket!

Thank you to the following companies who contributed cash and resources! Your contribution was most generous and heartfelt. Thank you from the entire PSP team.

Special Thanks to Lebanon Valley Graphics for printing the raffle tickets – (717) 273-7913

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Special thanks to Outside Hub for helping us to spread the word!