COLUMBIA, Mo., Dec. 14, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Who introduced you to the outdoors?
Larry and Brenda Potterfield, owners of MidwayUSA, and Fathers in the Field Mentoring have joined to launch an aggressive Mentoring Challenge to the Hunting and Shooting Industry – If not us, then who?
Nearly 50% of children under the age of 18 years are fatherless, which means they do not have fathers to help them learn about the outdoors and to shoot and hunt. The traditional method of passing on our outdoor heritage is breaking down and now others need to stand in the gap to fill the void. Our industry's future is at stake.
Larry and Brenda Potterfield have stood up to help Fathers in the Field reach the fatherless and inspire Mentors to engage with these left behind and at-risk boys. They know, as an industry, we need to do something to reach the next generation with our beloved hunting and shooting legacy.
"The at-risk segment of the next generation is growing and needing our Industry's immediate attention," stated the Potterfields. "We are involved in other legacy outreach efforts, but this area of outreach is critical to address, given the changing societal demographics."
Larry and Brenda have issued a $1M Financial Gift Challenge to raise awareness of this need and to lead the way in reaching this group who has no one to assist and mentor them. They are asking at least 10 other Industry Companies to come alongside them and Fathers in the Field by committing a support gift pledge of $100,000 each to raise a minimum of $2,000,000 for this critical effort over the next decade.
FitF Founder, John Smithbaker, indicated that the response has been immediate with several companies acknowledging this growing trend and pledging to join the Challenge. Scent Blocker/ Robinson Outdoors, The NRA Foundation and Bob Hodgdon all have said "we are in" and are discussing this increasing
issue within their companies.
To join this esteemed group of Industry Companies and help lead the way in reaching the next generation, learn more about Fathers in the Field Mentoring at www.fathersinthefield.com and contact Smithbaker at 307-851-0217.
Now is the time. If not us, then who?
About MidwayUSA
Both country kids from Missouri, Larry and Brenda Potterfield turned their passion for shooting sports into a career by opening a small gun shop in 1977 that would eventually become MidwayUSA (http://www.midwayusa.com). They instilled family values like honesty, integrity and respect for others into the business, and strive to maintain this culture with each Employee added to their growing team. For over 38 years, MidwayUSA has maintained an unyielding focus on Customer Satisfaction and continues to offer JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING® for Shooting, Hunting and the Outdoors.
For more information on MidwayUSA, visit their website (http://www.midwayusa.com), find them on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/OfficialMidwayUSA), or follow them on Twitter (http://twitter.com/midwayusa).