Ozarks Life: Shoot’n for Dreams

ROGERSVILLE, Mo. (KY3) - Down a long driveway in Rogersville dreams are made

“The joy in (the kid’s) eyes is why I’m doing it,” Craig Logan said.

He looks like Santa Claus. The Jolly Old Elf would be very proud of what he’s doing for kids battling various challenges in life.

“It’s been our joy to be able to help these kids,” Craig’s wife Lisa said. “To make memories that they never thought they would ever be able to do.”

The Logan’s mission is called Shoot’n for Dreams. They invite kids to their 63 acres for a weekend of hunting. The memories will last a lifetime.

“There’s no cost to this,” Craig said. “Whatever we do for the kids, we strictly do it out of our generosity.”

From the hunting license to the ammunition, the clothing to the country breakfast, everything is provided for the kids and their families.

“I love every bit,” Patrick George said.

His son is on his first hunt.

“Just seeing his eyes and face light up,” George said with a smile is worth the trip.

Chevy George lives with ADHD, ODD, and autism. His family thought he would never be able to hunt.

“That’s what I try to instill in him,” George said, “just because he’s got medical problems he can still do whatever he chooses to put his mind to.”

“We’re very blessed to find this program,” Aimee Skwirut said.

Her son Jeffrey has hunted a handful of times.

“He’s an inspiration to me,” Aimee said.

“I personally love the wilderness and seeing what’s out there,” Jeffrey said. “And seeing the wild animals just be themselves.”

The 15-year-old was born three months early and has cerebral palsy. But thanks to Craig and his friends, Jeffrey can use a unique wheelchair to hunt. Any child can move the rifle with a joystick and see what they’re aiming at appear on a computer monitor. Then, the child and guide each have a fire button to shoot the rifle.

“The equipment is so easy if they play video games, which most of them do, they catch on quick,” Craig said.

For Jeffrey, Chevy, and countless others through the years, they just want to experience something many take for granted.

“Just being with the guys and hanging out,” Jeffrey said about his weekend of hunting.

And that’s what they did at daybreak in one of Craig’s two, 8x12 blinds. One’s on a scissor lift and the other’s on stilts with a long ramp for wheelchairs.

“To take them away from their handicap and whatever they’re confined to every day,” Lisa said about the day of hunting, “yes, they’re still in their chairs. Yes, they still need assistance, but they’re doing things that normal kids get to do, without any question.”

“I’ve had them sit and cry and we said, ‘what’s wrong?’ And they say, ‘I didn’t think that I’d ever be able to do this,’” Craig said about recent hunts. “And it’s the same way with the parents.”

It was a good day this past weekend for both Chevy and Jeffrey. Each shot a deer before lunch.

“It’ll bring tears to you,” Craig said.

“We leave with our hearts full,” Lisa said, “and we make a lot of friends.”

Fueled with the passion to help kids, Craig was able to get a wildlife code changed in Missouri. Now, thanks to his efforts, children with terminal illnesses have a longer window to hunt. Now it’s from mid-September to mid-January.

You can reach out to Craig Logan if you’d like to help Shoot’n for Dreams or to nominate a kid for an upcoming hunt. His number is (417) 880-3594. You can also reach out to him on Facebook, at his Shoot’n for Dreams page.

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