FNAWS Raises Record $250,000 for USA Shooting

[USAS]

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. --- Demonstrating their overwhelming support of the USA Shooting Team, members of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep (FNAWS) raised over $250,000 for USA Shooting during its 2006 joint FNAWS/Mule Deer Foundation convention, held in Reno, Nev., Feb. 2-4.



Combined with funds raised from its two previous conventions, this record setting event pushed the total amount of FNAWS’ contributions to USA Shooting’s Olympic shooting program to nearly $500,000. A long-time supporter and Official Sponsor of USA Shooting since 2004, FNAWS is the largest conservation organization contributor to the U.S. Shooting Team.



“The tremendous show of support by FNAWS and its members is truly remarkable,” Buddy DuVall, Director of Marketing for USA Shooting said. “The level of financial support is an indication of just how committed the FNAWS organization and its members are to helping our American athletes in their quest to win Olympic medals.”



Of the total amount raised at this year’s convention, over $150,000 came from Saturday’s live-auctions featuring two Winchester model 1895 take-down rifles with sequential serial numbers. The limited edition Winchester rifles, embellished and engraved by Jim O’Reilly, Lead “Master Engraver” of Baron Engraving, both feature logos of USA Shooting and FNAWS and a historic leaf scroll pattern that was last seen as a product of the Winchester Custom Shop at the turn of the century. The majority of the embellishment of these unique rifles was donated by Baron Engraving “to further the success of our U.S. Shooting Team.” Two beautifully-crafted cases of leather, wood and canvas were donated by Anthony Galazan of Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing as a final touch to complete the project.



Spirited bidding between FNAWS members Ron and Marlys Schauer and Bernie and JoAnne Fiedeldey drove up the price of the final gold-plated Winchester rifle, which was auctioned Saturday night. At $75,000 bidding was stopped between the Shauer’s and Fiedeldey’s and both couples agreed pay the bid price and flip a coin for the rifle. The Shauer’s ended up winning the coin toss, and then generously donated the rifle back to be auctioned again. The bidding climbed to $35,000 the second time around, before finally going to Joe Diedrich.



In addition to funds raised from the live-auction, personal donations and proceeds from raffle items brought the total amount brought home to a quarter of a million dollars. Funds raised from this event directly benefit members of the U.S. Shooting Team as they prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Olympic gold medalist Matt Emmons and Olympic silver medalist Mike Anti were among the several shooting team members on hand to participate in the convention and auction activities.



“The feeling is hard to explain,” Olympic Gold medalist Matt Emmons said after the auction. “It is overwhelming. Their generous support helps us to achieve our dreams. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do everyday, which is train to be the best in the world.”