02/19/2010
Mississippi's State Chapter Wins Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF National Award
NASHVILLE, Tenn.— The National Wild Turkey Federation's Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF outreach program is full of selfless volunteers who spend their time ensuring that outdoor activities like hunting, fishing and shooting are available to people with disabilities.
 Bob Spell and Irby Stewart, volunteers with the National Wild Turkey Federation's Mississippi State Chapter, accepted the Best State Chapter Event Award at the Federation's 34th annual National Convention and Sport Show. Click image for print quality version |
For going the extra mile to provide access to the great outdoors for anyone, the NWTF's Mississippi State Chapter was honored today with the Best State Chapter Event Award at the Federation's 34th annual National Convention and Sport Show. The convention, sponsored by MidwayUSA, is taking place until Feb. 21 in Nashville.
"Volunteers with our chapter helped 84 young people with disabilities go deer hunting, and 59 of those hunters harvested a deer," said Bob Spell, president of the NWTF's Mississippi State Chapter. "Coordinating this event took a lot of dedication and hard work. The volunteers will be so honored to receive this award, and will be inspired to host an even bigger and better event in the future."
Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF ensures that people with disabilities are afforded the opportunity to spend time outdoors and form valuable friendships along the way. In 2009, Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF hosted 378 events nationwide that helped more than 8,000 participants enjoy a day of fun in the outdoors.
"Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF emphasizes all the abilities that our members possess, not their disabilities," said Illana Burkhart, Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF program coordinator. "The Mississippi State Chapter has taken the lead in their state for helping outdoor enthusiasts with disabilities enjoy being outside."
Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations across the country, spending more than $306 million to conserve 14 million acres of habitat for all types of wildlife.
The Federation works to increase interest in the outdoors by bringing new hunters and conservationists into the fold through outdoor education events and its outreach programs - Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin' Sportsmen, JAKES and Xtreme JAKES.
2010 Convention Sponsors: Affinity4, ATK/Federal Premium Ammunition, Bank of America, Bass Pro Shops, Benelli, Browning, Call Makers and Collectors Association of America, CamoFX, Chevrolet, Farm Service Agency, Foxy Huntress, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, HuntVe, Knight Rifles, Leupold & Stevens, Marlin Firearms Company, MeadWestvaco, MidwayUSA, Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, National Band & Tag Co., O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc., Mossy Oak and The Pursuit Channel, The Outdoor Connection, Remington Arms Company, Inc., SHE Outdoor Apparel, TriStar Sporting Arms, USDA Forest Service, Weatherby, Inc., Wild Turkey Bourbon, Winchester Division/Olin Corp.
