Rob DiStefano (left) and Terry Green on a hunting trip in TX.
Terry Green, from Calhoun, said he saw the need to create a Web site that would be a true representation of the traditional bow hunting sport.
He said during the spring for the past five years, site users have geared their focus toward raising money, auctioning commodities and donating goods for the St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Atlanta.
TradGang users have poured their hearts out in a variety of different ways for children in need, he said.
“We are considered one of the major contributors at the St. Jude hospital now,” said Green.
He said he loves kids, and there is nothing that makes his heart break more than to see a young one suffering and struggling from illnesses and disease.
Green said Web site users auction off all kinds of products, supplies and hunting trips for the children’s hospital; he said a lot of work goes into the endeavor, but every bit is worth it.
All proceeds from the auctions, which take place in early June each year, go to St. Jude.
For the past years, the Web site users have been able to raise a total of $317,107 for the hospital, he said.
“I feel in my heart that (donating and raising money for St. Jude hospital) is what I am led to do,” he said.
A local woman from Calhoun auctioned off a box of two dozen cookies for St. Jude, and the homemade goods sold for more than $6,000, he said.
“A traditional bow hunter paid $5,700 to go on a weekend wild boar hunting trip with me because he wanted to help support sick children in the St. Jude hospital,” said Green.
Internet users visit the TradGang.com for personal enjoyment, too.
“The Web site is a cyber camp for traditional bow hunters to get their fix when they cannot otherwise be outdoors bow hunting,” said Green.
Forums allow visitors to discuss traditional bow hunting experiences, pictures and more, he said.
Thousands of guests visit each day, he said, and the number of users is rapidly growing.
Green said the Web site would not be possible without help from a good friend.
“My friend, Rob DiSefano, took the vision I had for my traditional bow hunting Web site and organized, coded, and main framed it to my specification,” said Green.
The site was up and running by March of 2003, and the members multiplied like wild fire.
“The Web site blew all my expectations and by the fourth day, the bandwidth we purchased was not enough, so the next week we bought an unlimited supply of it,” he said.
There are now almost 25,000 Web site members and more than 100 forum posts, and it would not be possible without the help from sponsors.
“Woolshire carpet mills in Calhoun helped sponsor the Web site the first two years, but because the Web site became so big and expensive to run, I had to take on other sponsors to help pay for it,” said Green.
Green said he is appreciative of every individual who has given their time, energy and money to help raise money for St. Jude’s Children’s hospital and for the sponsors who keep the Web site running.
“Anyone willing to participate in auctions or give donations through the traditional bow hunting Web site is welcome to visit at TradGang.com,” Green said.
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