fisher16
11-20-2006, 07:21 PM
Elite pros join disabled hunters Shaw Grigsby, others volunteer as celebrity guides for good cause
By Perrin Anderson, National Wild Turkey Federation
Special to bassmaster.com — Nov. 17, 2006
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An avid archer and big game hunter, Elite Series pro Shaw Grigsby with Wheelin' Sportsman Hunter Jordan and father, Dwight Jordan.
PEARL, Miss. — Twenty-five young people with disabilities spent a weekend deer hunting with celebrities from sports, music and entertainment at the first Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF Celebrity-Youth Team Up held earlier this month.
The hunts took place in the Pearl, Miss., area on private landowners' property. All meals and other weekend activities, including archery, paintball, fishing and air rifle, took place at the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Pearl.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Shaw Grigsby, an avid archer and big game hunter in the off season, was among the anglers on hand to support the event. He's been involved with a number of charity events for young people, but said none of them allow you to get close to the participants like Wheelin' Sportsmen events. After this experience with Wheelin' Sportsmen, he said it won't be his last.
"This was one of the most awesome events I've ever been involved with," said Grigsby. "There were some teary-eyed moments after seeing a young person accomplishing what they came for at the event. It was one of the most special moments I've been a part of."
Many of the Elite Pros are avid hunters during the off season, which allows them time to spend outdoors while taking a break from fishing. Joining Grigsby as celebrity guides at the Wheelin' Sportsman event were pros Greg Hackney, Gerald Swindle, Keith Phillips, Pete Ponds and Stephen Browning.
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In addition to the Elite Pros, other celebrity guides included MLB players Jason Davis, Chad Bradford and Jay Powell, former NFL players Scott Adams and Mike Pawlawski, PGA member Brett Wetterich, and World Champion Turkey Caller Preston Pittman.
"The weekend was fantastic, from the celebrities donating their time to Bass Pro hosting the event," said Kirk Thomas, national coordinator for Wheelin' Sportsmen. "Seeing these young people with smiles on their faces, getting to do something they otherwise may not have the chance to do is what the Wheelin' Sportsmen program is all about."
Mary Beth James, 14, of Madison, Miss., found out about the Wheelin' Sportsmen program when a teacher at her school told the class about the event. The teacher reserved eight spots for students.
"It was the best day of my life," Mary Beth said. "It was the first deer I've ever killed. It was exciting and I had a great time. I'm definitely going to do it again."
James, who has a learning disability, grew up in a family that hunts and has always shown interest in the outdoors. It was her first hunt where she handled a firearm. For her mother, this weekend provided James the chance to do something she normally doesn't.
"It was amazing to see these people who donated their time and resources," said Mary Beth's mother, Diane Lisenbe. "I thank everybody. You try to do a lot for your kids as a parent, but there are some things you can't provide. It means a lot to watch other people step up and do that."
Activities began on a Friday afternoon, with a benefit dinner and auction. Local landowners and celebrity guides took participants hunting Saturday morning and afternoon with a break in the middle of the day for lunch and more outdoor events. There was a Sunday morning hunt, followed by closing ceremonies.
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 eager to get outside and participate in a more active lifestyle.
Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF provides all people with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors through local chapter events nationwide. The program also provides a full-color, quarterly magazine to its members. Wheelin' Sportsmen magazine is dedicated to the education and entertainment of outdoors enthusiasts with disabilities
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By Perrin Anderson, National Wild Turkey Federation
Special to bassmaster.com — Nov. 17, 2006
<!-- insertinlineAd --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD>http://espn-ak.starwave.com/winnercomm/outdoors/bassmaster/i/P2_b_111506_NWTF.jpg
An avid archer and big game hunter, Elite Series pro Shaw Grigsby with Wheelin' Sportsman Hunter Jordan and father, Dwight Jordan.
PEARL, Miss. — Twenty-five young people with disabilities spent a weekend deer hunting with celebrities from sports, music and entertainment at the first Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF Celebrity-Youth Team Up held earlier this month.
The hunts took place in the Pearl, Miss., area on private landowners' property. All meals and other weekend activities, including archery, paintball, fishing and air rifle, took place at the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Pearl.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Shaw Grigsby, an avid archer and big game hunter in the off season, was among the anglers on hand to support the event. He's been involved with a number of charity events for young people, but said none of them allow you to get close to the participants like Wheelin' Sportsmen events. After this experience with Wheelin' Sportsmen, he said it won't be his last.
"This was one of the most awesome events I've ever been involved with," said Grigsby. "There were some teary-eyed moments after seeing a young person accomplishing what they came for at the event. It was one of the most special moments I've been a part of."
Many of the Elite Pros are avid hunters during the off season, which allows them time to spend outdoors while taking a break from fishing. Joining Grigsby as celebrity guides at the Wheelin' Sportsman event were pros Greg Hackney, Gerald Swindle, Keith Phillips, Pete Ponds and Stephen Browning.
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In addition to the Elite Pros, other celebrity guides included MLB players Jason Davis, Chad Bradford and Jay Powell, former NFL players Scott Adams and Mike Pawlawski, PGA member Brett Wetterich, and World Champion Turkey Caller Preston Pittman.
"The weekend was fantastic, from the celebrities donating their time to Bass Pro hosting the event," said Kirk Thomas, national coordinator for Wheelin' Sportsmen. "Seeing these young people with smiles on their faces, getting to do something they otherwise may not have the chance to do is what the Wheelin' Sportsmen program is all about."
Mary Beth James, 14, of Madison, Miss., found out about the Wheelin' Sportsmen program when a teacher at her school told the class about the event. The teacher reserved eight spots for students.
"It was the best day of my life," Mary Beth said. "It was the first deer I've ever killed. It was exciting and I had a great time. I'm definitely going to do it again."
James, who has a learning disability, grew up in a family that hunts and has always shown interest in the outdoors. It was her first hunt where she handled a firearm. For her mother, this weekend provided James the chance to do something she normally doesn't.
"It was amazing to see these people who donated their time and resources," said Mary Beth's mother, Diane Lisenbe. "I thank everybody. You try to do a lot for your kids as a parent, but there are some things you can't provide. It means a lot to watch other people step up and do that."
Activities began on a Friday afternoon, with a benefit dinner and auction. Local landowners and celebrity guides took participants hunting Saturday morning and afternoon with a break in the middle of the day for lunch and more outdoor events. There was a Sunday morning hunt, followed by closing ceremonies.
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 eager to get outside and participate in a more active lifestyle.
Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF provides all people with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors through local chapter events nationwide. The program also provides a full-color, quarterly magazine to its members. Wheelin' Sportsmen magazine is dedicated to the education and entertainment of outdoors enthusiasts with disabilities
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