The National Wild Turkey Federation, through its Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF outreach program, has donated $26,750 in grants to six projects in the U.S. to help people with disabilities get involved in the outdoors. Selfless volunteers with Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF continue to dedicate their time and efforts hosting events and completing projects throughout North America.

“These grants are gifts that keep on giving,” said Illana Burkhart, Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF program coordinator. “Whether it’s disabled youth learning to shoot for the first time, or an injured military veteran getting to enjoy a sunrise from a wheelchair accessible shooting house, the projects funded by these grants will help hunters enjoy the outdoors for many years to come.”

Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF has committed the following matching grants to these projects:

* $13,500 to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to help complete the construction of a fishing pier on Lake Tomah that will meet the standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

* $3,625 to the Missouri Department of Conservation to help purchase shooting equipment to be used at events for hunters with disabilities at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Wappapello Lake property and the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge

* $3,000 to Missouri’s Gasconade County Youth Shooting Sports to help purchase shooting equipment to be used at events for youth with disabilities

* $3,000 to Stearns County, Minnesota’s Mid-Minnesota Sparrin’ Toms NWTF Chapter to help purchase hunting blinds and shooting rests to be used by youth hunters with disabilities

* $2,125 to America’s Freedom Lodge in Frazeyburg, Ohio, to help complete the construction of wheelchair accessible shooting houses

* $1,500 to the NWTF’s Spruce Run Chapter in New Jersey to help purchase permanent, wheelchair accessible blinds for hunts organized by the Hunterdon County Park Association

“We want folks with disabilities to know that Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF is here to serve them and to help them enjoy the great outdoors,” said Charley Burke, NWTF regional director for Wisconsin. “The fishing pier on Lake Tomah will give many people access to a fishing opportunity they wouldn’t have without Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF.”

Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF provides all people with disabilities opportunities to enjoy the outdoors through local NWTF chapter events nationwide. Whether it is shooting, hunting, fishing or archery, there is no limit to the outdoor opportunities Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF can bring to a person with disabilities who is eager to get outside and participate in an active lifestyle.

For more information about the NWTF’s Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF outreach program, visit www.wheelinsportsmen.org or contact Illana Burkhart at iburkhart@nwtf.net or (800) 637-3106.

Contact:
Michael Turbyfill
(803) 637-3106