If you would like to recieve a free subscription to the "Eagle Eye,"the Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program's quarterly newsletter, please call 800-231-0752.
by Kathy Cassidy, Program Manager
Wouldn't it be wonderful to enlist a committed Eddie Eagle assistant volunteer who is available month after month and willing to work ten (or more) hours each week? Someone who is able to help you visit schools and law enforcement agencies to promote the program. Maybe even a high school or college student who could teach the program to younger children in your community.
Sound too good to be true? It's quite possible, but you need to seek out the right individual and provide the right kinds of "perks" in order to attract an individual on an ongoing basis.
We've identified some places to look and ways of attracting that special volunteer.
Where to look: Review names of retired individuals who are already supporters of the NRA and the Eddie Eagle Program. Consider former schoolteachers, law enforcement professionals, employees, board members, former board members, and donors to our organization. Consider college students who might want to work for you as an intern. Perhaps you can convince a local business to establish a paid internship position. Explore a loaned executive through a local business.
Special Volunteer Perks:
The Eddie Eagle Department is grateful for the support given to its program by Friends of NRA (FONRA). To date, we have received more than $127,000 in FONRA grants, enabling us to provide schools and law enforcement agencies in many states with free workbooks, videos, stickers, posters and instruction guides.
FONRA is a grassroots organization that helps raise money to fund programs such as youth firearm safety and education courses, range improvements and developments, Second Amendment education, and wildlife conservation. Organized by volunteers working with NRA field representatives, Friends of NRA fund-raising dinners are an entertaining, family-oriented program. Fifty percent of the net proceeds are used to fund programs within the state, while the other half goes to support similar programs the Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program is one of them on a national level. To learn how to become involved with FONRA in your area, call NRA Field Operations, Event Services Department at (800) NRA-3888, x1354.
The following lists open grants as of press time. For up-to-date information to determine if schools and law enforcement agencies in your state are eligible to receive Eddie Eagle materials at no charge, please call (800) 231-0752.
Friends of NRA State Fund Grants (as of February 24, 1997) Arkansas, N. California,Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Ohio (cities of Columbus, Circleville, Chilicothe,Springfield and Lebanon only), Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, S. Texas, Virginia, Wyoming
To take advantage of these grants, schools and law enforcement agencies should call (800)336-7402 to order Eddie Eagle materials for elementary schoolchildren.
For 30 years, Marvin Spinks has been teaching in the Marion County, Fla., school system. A graduate of Valdosta State College and NOVA University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., he has been instrumental in getting The Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program implemented county-wide inOcala.
Matthew Szramoski, Eddie Eagle program specialist, recently interviewed Spinks to learn the secret of his success in promoting Eddie Eagle in his community. Eddie Eagle materials have been supplied to 19,886 students in 26 public schools and 846 students in four private schools in the county through the "Eddie Eagle Ocala Project." The group is currently working on an extension program for children in grades seven through 12 that will focus on teaching firearm safety.
Eagle Eye: Where did you first learn about the
Eddie Eagle program?
Spinks: I have been a Life Member of NRA for many
years and recently became an Endowment Member. I was
attending the Silver River Friends of NRA Committee
banquet where Ms.Marion P. Hammer (now NRA President) was
the guest speaker. She discussed the Eddie Eagle program
in depth and its value in reducing firearm accidents.
Eagle Eye: What prompted you to become involved
with the program?
Spinks: We had several firearm accidents involving
very young children. The accidents usually occurred when
children were playing with a firearm they thought was a
toy. The program was implemented under the direction of a
steering committee composed of local citizens from
diverse backgrounds including a land surveyor, Jeff
Davis; a salesperson, Richard Irmia; a firearms dealer,
Estell Lawson; and a telephone company employee, Bryan
Roberts.
Eagle Eye: What was the toughest obstacle you
faced in promoting the program?
Spinks: The most difficulty I faced was getting
someone to listen to me explain the program and then take
some action. At first I encountered a "we'll think
about it attitude." The program was accepted when
school superintendent John Smith and elementary education
supervisor Nancy Leonard agreed the program was needed
and said "Let's do it!"
Eagle Eye: The Ocala Sheriff's Department and
the City of Ocala Police Department have been very
supportive of your efforts. How have the departments
helped to ensure that all children are reached with Eddie
Eagle's lifesaving message?
Spinks: Both Sheriff Ken Ergle and Chief Morrey
Dean supported the Eddie Eagle Program as a method of
reducing firearm accidents among young children. Sheriff
Ergle also provided financing for the program using
seized criminal assets. The support of both of these
public servants was essential in gaining support for the
program.
Eagle Eye: How else have you raised funds for
program materials?
Spinks: In addition to the spoils from arrests, we
have had a total of 34 donors who contributed money to
the "Eddie Eagle Ocala Project." We have raised
a total of $12,274 so far to provide materials free of
charge to all children in pre-kindergarten through fifth
grade in Marion County for the next five years.
Eagle Eye: What advice would you give to anyone
interested in getting Eddie Eagle into their communities?
Spinks: The first step should be to ascertain how
your system works, how school programs are adopted or
accepted. You will need to establish contact with members
of the educational and law enforcement community who will
support your efforts in getting the program implemented.
Then the hard work begins. You must do your homework and
prepare a good case for why the program is needed and
then follow up, follow up and follow up. It will be a lot
of hard work but your efforts may succeed in saving some
child's life.
Eagle Eye: What have you most enjoyed about the
program?
Spinks: I probably most enjoyed seeing all our
efforts come to fruition and having the opportunity to be
in attendance when the Eddie Eagle Program was presented
at a local elementary school with a visit by Eddie Eagle
himself.
Eagle Eye: Thank you for the tremendous support
you have given to the Eddie Eagle Program and for making
sure children in the Ocala area stay safe.
The following article was submitted by Officer George C. Quickel of the Lancaster, Pa., Police Department.
On Sunday afternoon October 13, 1996, three children from the Lancaster City Housing Authority's Franklin Terrace Development and a fourth child, a visitor to the development, were playing in the woods at the rear of the community next to the river. Jonathan Alvarado (12), Justin Lopez (9), Robert Sample (10), and Wilfredo Vazquez (10) are all friends and have played in the neighborhood before.
While playing in an overgrown area, Jonathan found a box and something wrapped inside a blanket nestled in the weeds. The four curious boys opened the box and unwrapped the blanket. The contents were startling. The boys had found several rifles, a shotgun and a handgun. Jonathan quickly remembered what he had learned in an Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program presented by Officers Quickel and Jose Diaz of the Lancaster City Community Policing Program. Jonathan immediately gathered the boys, walked away from the guns, and ran home and told his mother what they had found. His mother immediately paged Officer Diaz at home and Carmen Rivera, Jonathan's counselor at the Boy's Club, and told them what the boys had found. Officer Diaz responded to the development after notifying an on-duty officer to pick up the guns. The boys led the way to the firearms after officers arrived at the development. Police and parents commended the boys for their actions in this potentially disastrous situation. Officers retrieved the guns and took them to the Lancaster police station. The guns were later identified as having been stolen from a home during a burglary.
This lovable, high quality Eddie Eagle plush toy is a must-have for all program supporters. And it is available for only $14.99! The item stock number is EE 12552. To order your Eddie Eagle plush toy, call NRA Sales toll free, (800) 336-7402. Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Eastern time. Prices do not include packing, shipping, and handling fees, or state sales tax if applicable. Prices are subject to change without notice.
Don t forget; other Eddie Eagle merchandise is also available.
by Matthew T. Szramoski
The New Haven, Conn., Sheriff's Department was the first agency to obtain an Eddie Eagle mascot costume, since the outfits were made available for purchase by law enforcement departments. Law enforcement personnel can add more fun and excitement to classes with a live appearance by Eddie Eagle.
Deputy Joanne Gramahan spearheaded the effort to obtain a costume for the department. When Gramahan learned that the costume could be purchased by law enforcement personnel, she immediately discussed it with High Sheriff Frank Kinney, and in less than a week a check was sent for its purchase. The sheriff's department also secured outdoor advertising for the Eddie Eagle program on 20 billboards donated by Outdoor Systems in the Greater New Haven Metro area.
The deputies will teach the program to second graders three or four days a week. The goal is to reach 80,000 children!
If your local law enforcement department is interested in obtaining an Eddie Eagle mascot costume, please call the NRA at (800) 231-0752. The costume's cost is $3,200, which includes shipping and handling. Guidelines for using and caring for the costume plus suggestions for obtaining funding within your community to purchase the suit are available upon request.
by Heidi Cifelli
At a county fair this past summer, Eddie Eagle staff had the opportunity to meet Pamela Haines,founder of TV & Me Inc., which is a non-profit organization that produces Our Place, a program by and for children airing on Cable Channel 10 in our own backyard of Fairfax, Va.
We jumped at the opportunity to present Eddie Eagle's lifesaving message to area children through this television program. The first step was to meet with Pamela to discuss ideas for the show. We decided to produce a show with a lot of interaction between a group of children and me, and, of course, Eddie Eagle. Over the next few weeks, we worked together to write the show script and finalize details.
On September 30, eight children, ranging in age from 6 to 12, their parents, and Pamela joined Matt Szramoski (Eddie Eagle) and me at NRA headquarters for a dress rehearsal. The kids were enthusiastic and quickly learned Eddie Eagle's message. They did a great job! Many of the parents complimented us on our worthwhile program.
With dress rehearsal behind us, the big day arrived. Show time was October 10 at 4:30 p.m. We spent several hours both setting up the studio and taping the program. Matt and I got a chance to learn the ins and outs of a television studio and to experience some of the pandemonium. Pamela had her hands full with the actors and actresses, their parents, and all the studio equipment. She used everyone in the studio to help with some aspect of the program. Matt set up lights, I typed the script into the TelePrompTer, and parents operated the cameras and acted as stage directors.
As with anything, we had our share of mishaps, like when the TelePrompTer cut out a few minutes into taping! Nonetheless, it all worked out. We had fun and it was a worthwhile experience.
The show has aired three times since to an estimated potential viewership of 354,000 people. Great exposure for Eddie Eagle's message with no program costs involved!
The NRA's Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program provides free subscriptions to the Eagle Eye,the department's quarterly newsletter. The Eagle Eye provides volunteers useful information on new Eddie Eagle program materials, grant availability, interviews with other volunteers and local success stories. The newsletter maybe obtained by writing to: The Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program-NRA, Attn: Eagle Eye Subscription Request, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400 or call 1-800-231-0752.
by Heidi Cifelli
Since 1994, the South Texas Friends of NRA State Fund Committee has generously awarded a financial grant of $25,383 to NRA's Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program. In turn, the money is being used to provide Eddie Eagle materials to schools and law enforcement professionals in South Texas, free of charge. Many South Texans have taken advantage of this grant, making it one of the NRA's most successful Eddie Eagle Program areas to date.
Most recently, due to the hard work and dedication of Walter Plitt III, C.D. Clark and Pastor Joseph O Bell, the Brownsville Independent School District ordered materials for 27 elementary schools and eight middle schools. Brownsville, with a large Spanish-speaking population, ordered materials in both Spanish and English.
Thanks to the strong commitment to safety of Dr. Stephen Stark and Alan Allen with the Sportsman Conservationists of Texas, Eddie's message has reached schools in both San Antonio and Austin.
Five troopers from the Safety and Education Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety have begun teaching the Eddie Eagle Program to schoolchildren in public, private and parochial schools. Some of the counties that will be affected include; Harris, Beaumont and Wharton.
Law enforcement organizations in El Paso, San Antonio, Silsbee, and Beaumont have also implemented the Eddie Eagle Program.
With this grant money used so effectively, the program has left a positive, lasting impression on almost 100,000 children in South Texas.
Thanks South Texas. Keep spreading the word!
To learn how you can become involved in your local Friends of NRA events, call the Event Services Manager at 1-800-NRA-3888, x1354.
Editor's note: This letter was sent to the NRA by e-mail at the Web site (http://www.nra.org) and is reprinted with the permission of the author. Eddie Eagle has his own Web site at http://www.nra.org/eddie/eddiemain/html.
Just a word of thanks for Eddie Eagle. I'm a life member of the NRA, a Golden Eagle, and a member of the Second Amendment Task Force. I guess you could say I believe in the NRA and "put my money where my mouth is."
One of my 3-year-old daughter's favorite videos is Eddie Eagle. She'll dance around chanting "STOP! Don't Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult." I have little fear of firearm accidents in our own home, but worry more about my kids when they have opportunities to play in other people's homes where they insist that "our guns are hidden and the kids don't know where they are." To which I reply bull!
Over Thanksgiving weekend our 3- and 5-year-olds were sorting a box of buttons that came from Grandma's house when the shouting started..."Mom! Dad!" The kids came running to us, quoting Eddie Eagle, "STOP! Don't Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult." What had they found? Not a gun, but a book of matches. Grandma was a smoker and the matches had been left in with her sewing supplies.
Eddie Eagle isn't "just" about gun safety.
It's about SAFETY, period. Eddie helps teach kids respect
for dangerous objects, which can be found anywhere. I'm
proud of my kids, and proud to be a member of the NRA and
a part of Eddie Eagle through my Golden Eagle membership.
Thank you!
Brian Knilans
Lino Lakes, Minn.
The NRA is currently seeking responsible and committed individuals to represent the Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program and introduce it to educators, law enforcement professionals, civic groups, local sponsors and legislators in your community. If you, or someone you know, would like to become a volunteer, we will provide you with a handbook that covers the policies and procedures of the program, provides guidance for making contacts and setting up appointments,lists program talking points, advises on follow-up calls, and suggests ways to generate media attention. Call us at (800) 231-0752 to find out how you can become a volunteer.
Recognizing the importance of teaching gun safety to children in Florida, Gov. Lawton Chiles declared December 1-7, 1996, "Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Week." With this proclamation, the governor joins the Florida Senate, which adopted a resolution recognizing the success of the program in 1994, and fellow governors nationwide who have issued similar proclamations heralding the effectiveness of the NRA's Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program.
Community activist and Eddie Eagle volunteer Lee Coleman was instrumental in getting Gov.Chiles to sign the proclamation. "I requested that it be the first week of December for symbolic reasons," said Coleman. "I wanted it to be an early Christmas present for the children of Florida, ... for everyone to recognize the importance of educating children about gun safety."
Coleman, recently elected to the Republican Executive Committee and vice president of the Palm Beach County NRA Members Council, is an ardent supporter of the Eddie Eagle Program. From fund raising and giving presentations, to lobbying state and local officials and contacting the media, he has done it all in the name of Eddie Eagle.
In December 1995, Coleman worked to achieve city-wide recognition for the program when Mayor Rodney Romano proclaimed Eddie Eagle Day in Lake Worth, Fla.
All of our grassroots volunteers, like Coleman, are essential to the success of the Eddie Eagle Program.
The $25,000 grant awarded to the Eddie Eagle Program from The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, Inc. has been depleted but this grant enabled Eddie Eagle's lifesaving message to reach over 285,000 children in 29 states! It has had a significant impact on our ultimate goal of reaching every elementary schoolchild in our nation.
The support of The American Legion, The Sons of the American Legion, and The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation has enabled law enforcement professionals across the nation to heighten gun safety awareness and accident prevention within their communities.
We are very grateful for the Foundation's generosity and are justifiably proud of our relationship with an organization so committed to the youth of America.