COLUMBIA, Mo., June 1, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Larry and Brenda Potterfield, owners of MidwayUSA, are pleased to announce that their $1M Financial Gift Challenge for Fathers in the Field has been met by several key Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Industry partners.
Late last year, Larry and Brenda partnered with Fathers in the Field Mentoring to launch an aggressive Grant Challenge to the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Industry. The Potterfields' $1M Financial Gift Challenge was made to lead the way by raising awareness, and to inspire mentors to engage with left behind and at-risk boys. They called for at least 10 other Industry Companies to partner with 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.
The challenge is critical because nearly 50% of children under the age of 18 years are fatherless. Which typically means these kids miss out on the opportunity to shoot, hunt and learn about the outdoors. The traditional method of passing on our outdoor heritage is breaking down and now we need to work together to stand in the gap and fill the void. Our industry's future is at stake.
"The at-risk segment of the next generation is growing and in need of our Industry's immediate attention," said Larry Potterfield, Founder and CEO of MidwayUSA. "We're involved in other legacy outreach efforts, but this area of outreach is critical to address, given the changing societal demographics."
John Smithbaker, Founder of Fathers in the Field, indicated the response was immediate. Several companies acknowledged this critical growing trend and made the decision to join the Challenge. Scott Shulz, CEO of Scent Blocker, eagerly pledged his support and praised each of the other participating companies for putting their heart into helping the next generation get involved.
Partnering to take on and meet the Potterfields' Grant Challenge are:
Scent Blocker/ Robinson Outdoors, The NRA Foundation, Bob Hodgdon / Hodgdon Powder, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Outdoor Channel, Real Avid, Pursuit Channel, Minuteman Defense Firearms, Baron Technologies & Engraving, Gary's Pawn and Gun and Warm Springs Production.
To join this esteemed group and help lead the way in reaching the next generation, visit Fathers in the Field Mentoring at www.fathersinthefield.com or contact John Smithbaker at 307-851-0217.
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 (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 (www.midwayusa.com), find them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/OfficialMidwayUSA), or follow them on Twitter (http://twitter.com/midwayusa).