Safari Club International Lansing Area Chapter

Kevin Kech is an amazing kid. He has a kind voice, gentle smile, and sparkling eyes that have not been dimmed by his Muscular Dystrophy. They were really twinkling on the evening of September 23rd, when he had just harvested his
first buck. Kevin was hunting at the Muy Grande Ranch in Millersburg, Michigan with the Tony Semple Foundation for Hope, sponsored by the Lansing Area Chapter of Safari Club International.

The Tony Semple Foundation for Hope was started by Detroit Lions player Tony Semple to provide hunts to life challenged kids. Joining Kevin at the ranch were two other youngsters battling Leukemia, and another group of 6 had hunted earlier in the week.

The excitement for Kevin didn’t start in the North Country but did when he learned that the Lansing Chapter was considering the 13-year-old Bronson, Michigan boy as a candidate for their Safari Wish program. Kevin had hunted in Branch County last year but was unsuccessful in tagging a deer. Kevin’s mom, Laura, said that he counted down the days before his scheduled adventure, and sleeping was hard leading up to the big day. He slept that night, even though his dad, Eric, said he was talking in his sleep.

The 1500 acre ranch has approximately 800 deer that are managed for trophies, and Kevin’s 8 point was a beautiful
3-year old. Even though Kevin isn’t physically able to hold up anything for long due to his illness, he was able to sight in the .243 Thompson Center rifle for an instantaneous kill. He was up early the next day to wish the other hunters luck and was all smiles for the picture taking. He was the first to congratulate the other young hunters, Lucas from Oklahoma, and Alex from Sterling Heights, on their bucks the next evening. The three had become almost instantaneous friends and ate meals and sat together for other activities at the ranch. Songs around the campfire, hayrides around Muy Grande’s breeding facility, watching Pirates of the Caribbean in the Lodge’s theater, and seemingly endless food was enjoyed by all of the staff and volunteers who attended.

In just a few short days, these kids touched the lives of all of the rest present. The realization of what these kids have fought with their diseases was humbling. Perhaps the most inspiring moment for me was when Kevin told Tony Semple
that he wanted to donate the meat from his buck to others who need the meat more than his family.

The Lansing Area Chapter, as well as other SCI chapters, and the Tony Semple Foundation for Hope are always looking for
life challenged youth who would like the fulfillment of a Safari Wish. A banquet and fundraiser in March is the Lansing Chapter’s main way of raising money for projects like this. People knowing of such kids or looking for more information can contact the Lansing Area Chapter at P.O. Box 72, Grand Ledge, MI 48837 or www.scilansing.com. Safari Club International Foundation, handles projects like this throughout the USA and can be contacted via Director Eva Wilson at ewilson@safariclub.org. The Tony Semple Foundation for Hope can be contacted at Info@TonySempleFoundation.org. The website for Muy Grande Ranch and Resort is www.muygranderanch.com.

All of you, who have purchased something at our Lansing Area Chapter fundraisers, can take credit for putting this big smile on Branden’s face!

The Lansing Area Chapter, along with the Brett Favre Fourward Foundation and the Tony Semple Foundation for Hope, co-sponsored Branden Stewart. The Tony Semple Foundation for Hope arranged the hunt at Wild River Whitetails in Northern Wisconsin. Branden was one of five life-challenged young hunters who were given the opportunity to bag a big Whitetail. In addition to the hunt they each received hunting clothes from MothWing Camo, boots from LaCrosse Footwear, Leopold binoculars, backpack systems from Trail Flex, hearing protection from Pro Ears, duffle bags from Bass Pro Shops and many other items from HeatMax, Hunter Specialties and the Outdoor Channel. Moreover, once their animal was harvested, it was processed for them to take home, through the generosity of Lansing Area Chapter of SCI and the Tony Semple Foundation for Hope. Their trophies will also be beautifully mounted in the style of their choosing, courtesy of The Wildlife Gallery of Blanchard, MI.

Keep your eyes open to the Outdoor Channel, as Expedition Safari, SCI’s pre-eminent TV series, captured the entire event for a future TV airing on National television for the young hunters.

I wish you all could meet Branden -- you would like him! He has endured 58 surgeries with more scheduled. He is in constant pain and spends all his waking hours in his motorized wheelchair. With all this, I never heard him complain. He is very upbeat, funny and an inspiration to be around. Branden is very appreciative of his first opportunity to go hunting and wants to thank the Lansing Area Chapter. I believe we have lit another fire in the woods!

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