Southwest Michigan fundraiser benefits children and the Second Amendment
By Constance M. Ferris and Skip Coryell
Ted Nugent United Sportsmen of America sponsored a fundraiser for handicapped and abused children on June 15th, 2002 in southwest Michigan.
More than $11,000 was raised for three local children’s charities via the day event. Volunteers provided the NRA Personal Protection Course for a minimum, tax-deductible donation of $85 per student to 142 students in 3 locations: South Kent Sportsmen’s Club in Dorr, Southern Michigan Gun Club in Kalamazoo, and Post Sportsmen’s Club in Battle Creek. The money raised was donated to B-93 Country Cares for Kids, Green Gables Domestic Violence Shelter in Barry County, and the Grandville Public Schools Autism Program.
Over 30 NRA Instructors, law enforcement officers, and military personnel donated their time to teach the all-day class. The NRA Personal Protection Course, consisting of a minimum of 5 hours of class time and 3 hours of range time, fulfilled all the training requirements of Public Act 381, the new CCW law in Michigan.
The National Rifle Association and TNUSA provided more than $1000 worth of materials, books and supplies for the event.
Students learned basic handgun safety, personal protection, and Michigan law regarding self-defense with a firearm. Information provided during the class time portion of the course piqued the interest of students, generating detailed discussions about self-defense and the law. Quickly, the students learned that personal protection situations are complex, and vary from situation to situation. However, it was taught to them again and again, that with great power comes great responsibility, and that every CCW holder is accountable for every round that leaves their firearm.
After class completion that night, the students and their families feasted on a roasted Russian Pork Beast, courtesy of Ted Nugent and Sunrise Acres in Jackson, Michigan. After dinner, former Michigan Representative Alan Cropsey the “father” of the state’s CCW reform spoke to the crowd of students, guests and volunteers. He provided information regarding the origin of CCW laws and the importance of voting in primaries as well as elections. Cropsey also presented students with their NRA Certificates upon completion of the all-day course.
Note: Alan Cropsey is the author of the original Michigan “shall issue” CCW bill in 1993, and he is running for the 33rd State Senate District. Alan enjoys Ted Nugent’s personal endorsement.
A few weeks after the class, Area F Director, Skip Coryell, was invited by the Grandville Autism Program to visit their classroom and meet several of the young students which will benefit from this charity effort. They presented Area F with a special plaque as well as hand-made cards and letters of appreciation. Bryant Domina, the Director of the Autism program, said that the money would go to buy furniture and supplies for the classroom. The balance of the money will finance a camping trip for the class this fall, where the kids will learn about the outdoors and wildlife management.
Mr. Domina, and all the children, expressed their heartfelt appreciation and asked me to convey their deepest gratitude to Uncle Ted for sponsoring this event.
