The Ask
In Chisana, Alaska, site of
the last historic gold rush and once named the largest log-cabin
settlement in Alaska, 90-year-old Pioneer Outfitters depends on air travel to survive.
In September 2013, our only
hope for extended survival, Cubby, was destroyed in a fire that left us
stranded deep in the Alaskan wilderness inside the Wrangell Mountains. It was
the worst kind of blow our extended family has had to endure.
We are now dependent on twice
weekly deliveries of food, clothing, mail, fuel, feed, and more at $.40 per
pound.
What’s more, we can no longer
rescue or evacuate anyone in need. Our horses may die needing our assistance as
we cannot travel by air to find where they have ranged.
Our home is only accessible
by air, and we live in Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve, our
nation’s largest National Park.
This campaign, Stand for the
Man In Black, is to raise funds to replace our airplane. We seek $250,000 to replace
the plane lost to fire for the following:
· Fly in fuel and groceries for the professional
wilderness guides we train and the families and Team that live here year round.
· Fly in hay and feed for the range horses and livestock
we watch over and care for each winter who are also part of our Team.
· Fly in fuel which runs the generators that supply the
power for the phone system for the Chisana community.
· Locate and rescue by air of the community’s livestock
and horses to ensure they’re not lost, hurt or frozen.
· Rescue of trapped hikers and injured hunters,
broken-down snowmobiles, or others stranded in the Alaska wilderness we live in.
· Medical evacuation for anyone in need of physicians
who are only accessible by air.
· Terry has landed his plane in running water and has rescued
families from flooding, taking off just in time to watch the cabin be washed
away.
The wilderness and the space
~ untouched by commercial tourism, the majestic mountains looming over and
surrounding us, as far as the eye can see; more glaciers of all sizes and
scale; wildlife and flora of every shape, all free, all amazing. This is where we call home. This is what we
share with the world with our horses and experience.
Our Story
My name is Amber-Lee Dibble.
I have worked for Terry Overly and Pioneer Outfitters for over 20 years. I am a United States
Navy Veteran and a Professional Alaska Guide.
I am also the voice, writer,
marketer, and the Web Master for Pioneer Outfitters in Chisana to the world. Terry
entrusted Pioneer Outfitters to me to elevate its brand to everyone outside
Alaska. I am on social media as Alaska Chick.
Terry is one of the kindest,
most generous men I have ever known. I am proud to Stand for the Man in Black
and to call him my Boss, mentor and friend. He has been like a father to me and
is Grandfather to my children, for more than half my life and all of theirs.
Terry is a selfless, gentle
man who puts others first always. My goal is to rebuild and fulfill a very
special dream.
Stand for the Man in Black is
incredibly important, and I need your help.
Our Goal
With your donation, we plan
to:
· Continue our daily life and livelihood that is only
possible with the benefit of air travel.
· Continue to offer guests and clients the comfort and
safety of having an airplane in this wilderness.
· Continue training Alaska Wilderness and Big Game Guides
to be professionals.
· Continue to provide people an opportunity to escape to
a remote location and rejuvenate without the hustle and distractions of the
world.
Future Plans
· Launch a non-profit to ensure we educate people about
the glory of this country deep in the Alaska wilderness.
· Create a larger space in Chisana to fly in and
facilitate larger groups, teams and companies to gather, study, network and
become stronger.
· Build a retreat and inn with great rooms for conferences,
equipped with our same Wi-Fi, that becomes a serene and peaceful getaway for
people seeking to commune with nature and appreciate the spiritual aspects of
the Alaska wilderness.
Personal Appeal
I believe in you. The
friendships I have been offered, helping hands, the wisdom and advice, your
guidance, the beautiful kindness across the world have been bestowed since I
started my social media journey in 2010.
You’ve touched my heart and
changed me. That’s why I need your help to make this dream come true. Please
help me Stand for the Man in Black. Terry Overly would never ask anyone for anything. Please stand with me and help me to show him the beautiful reality of the world outside of Chisana and the amazing world I have met through Social Media. I offer to you all of my gratitude in advance.
About Pioneer Outfitters
Please, feel welcome on our
website, visit us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, Twitter. Please be at home and check out all the
videos we have been making over on our YouTube Channel! Know us for who we
really are. “As we live our lives, we
make our living.” We are exactly who I have shown us to be. People, serving
others, working and praying hard for a better world while enjoying every moment
of all that we have been blessed.
Please allow me to share with
you just a little bit more. I would like to tell you a bit about what I would
like to send you for your help. There are “Perks” on Indiegogo for
consideration.
ALL contributors will have
their names carved and burned into a new centerpiece log that will be forever
displayed in the new Shushanna Room upon its completion. These contributions
will always be a living tribute as how Stand for the Man in Black dream came
to life.
Thank you!
We know that not everyone can
contribute. If you would like to help another way, please share this with the
world and help me to get the word out into the world. You may use the Indiegogo
share tools as well as sharing the link with your own network.
Sincerely,
Amber-Lee
Dibble
Aka Alaska Chick
Pioneer Outfitters
http://pioneeroutfitters.com
alaskachick@pioneeroutfitters.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/PioneerOutfitters/
Post Office Box CZN
Tok, Alaska 99780
(907)734-0007
