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The NWTF will present $660,000 in endowments to 33 high school and collegiate shooting organizations throughout the nation through the Scholastic Shooting Trust, a foundation created by MidwayUSA owners Brenda and Larry Potterfield.
Each program will receive a $20,000 endowment made possible by NWTF members through funds raised at NWTF events. They are being distributed this summer.
The Oklahoma State University Shotgun Sports Club was among the first recipients of a $20,000 endowment presented by the NWTF.
The National Wild Turkey Federation fully supports shooting sports, and believes they are a safe and informal gateway to hunting. The NWTF recognizes hunters as the foundation of wildlife conservation.
“The NWTF is proud to play a major role in supporting youth shooting programs,” said Tom Hughes, NWTF assistant vice president of education and outreach programs. “These endowments have a tremendous impact in sustaining and growing the programs of the recipients.”
The recipients include school organizations from 18 states. The shooting programs can use the interest generated from the endowment each year to pay for shooting program expenses.
Recipients also are encouraged to use the money to hold fundraisers.
“Competitive shooting teams provide wonderful opportunities for students to make friends, to develop confidence and learn discipline and leadership skills,” said Larry Potterfield, founder and CEO of MidwayUSA. “However, most schools provide little or no funding for shooting teams, so it’s up to us to help.”
Teams that wish to be considered for endowments should contact the NWTF regional director for their area. NWTF regional directors can be found by going tohttp://www.nwtf.org/in_your_state/, clicking on your state then clicking on “Field Staff.” Or you can call the NWTF at (800) THE-NWTF.
“This money will make a significant difference for our program,” said Marie Kibbey, coach of recipient Sheffield (Pa.) High School. “We try to provide kids with a safe place to go out and shoot. It’s hard for them to pay all the expenses out of their own pockets.”
The NWTF – a national nonprofit organization – is the leader in upland wildlife habitat conservation and dedicated to the preservation of our hunting heritage in North America.
Through vital partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and our members have helped restore wild turkey populations throughout North America, investing more than $372 million to conserve 17 million acres of wildlife habitat.
2012 Scholastic Shooting Trust Recipients
Arkansas – Ecclesia College, Springdale;
California – Granite Bay High School;
Florida – Jacksonville University;
Georgia – Augusta State University; Benedictine Military School, Savannah; Monroe Area High School, Monroe;
Illinois – Chester High School; Sparta High School; Steeleville High School; Trico High School, Campbell Hill;
Indiana – Purdue University Rifle and Purdue University Shotgun, West Lafayette;
Iowa – Glidden-Ralston High School, Glidden;
Kentucky – Murray State University Rifle;
Michigan – University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
Mississippi – Mississippi State University, Starkville;
Missouri – Marshall High School;
New Mexico – Hot Springs High School, Truth or Consequences;
Ohio – Ohio University Competitive Pistol, Akron;
Oklahoma – Oklahoma State University Shotgun Sports Club, Stillwater;
Oregon – Henley High School, Klamath Falls;
Pennsylvania – Indiana University; Sheffield High School; Sullivan County High School, Laporte;
South Carolina – The Citadel Rifle, Charleston; Clemson University; Clemson University Shotgun; South Pointe High School AFJROTC, Rock Hill; Wardlaw Academy, Johnston; Wyman King Academy, Batesburg-Leesville;
Wisconsin – Jefferson High School, University of Wisconsin-Platteville;