Heartbroken Hunters, DSC to Honor Chris Kyle
Dallas Safari Club 02.14.13
Chris Kyle’s fame as a decorated sniper and SEAL legend made him a celebrity. But it was his humble, affable, giving nature—and his loyal volunteerism for people and causes he loved—that made him a star.
The chance to spend time afield with Kyle was a hot commodity at the early-January Dallas Safari Club (DSC) convention and expo. Two buyers at a DSC charity auction paid a whopping $42,500 for a big-game hunt alongside their hero. All proceeds were earmarked to help two causes close to Kyle’s heart—veterans and wildlife conservation.
Kyle was murdered just days after the auction.
Although the buyers will never take their dream hunt, they want the money to go where Kyle planned.
The $42,500—more than three times the retail value of the African plains game hunt—will be split two ways. Half will benefit the Boot Campaign, an organization that raises awareness of the challenges faced by US troops when they return home. The other half will go to the Dallas Ecological Foundation, a DSC affiliate that serves as a grant and funding medium for DSC conservation and education programs worldwide.
Ben Carter, DSC executive director, said, “This hunt had a specified monetary value, but the buyers considered it priceless because they would be hunting alongside a true American hero. Chris was thrilled with the results of the auction then, and I know he’d be pleased now that the money he helped generate will go where it was promised.”
Kyle was an avid hunter, conservationist, DSC volunteer and honorary life member, and the keynote speaker at a life-member breakfast during the DSC convention and expo in January.
DSC President Allen Moore said, “Our entire organization is heartbroken over this tragic loss. I hope our members will join our board of directors and me in honoring this special DSC member. Together we can give something back to Chris by helping his family. He stepped up for DSC and now it’s time for us to step up for him.”
Donations can be made by check payable either to the Chris Kyle Memorial Trust, which was established for Kyle’s wife, Taya, and their two children, or specifically to Taya Kyle. Send the check to Dallas Safari Club, 13709 Gamma Road, Dallas, Texas 75244.
Moore said DSC will be honored to deliver donations to the Kyle family.
