ICYMI: Headlines From
April 19–23, 2021

Winchester Ammunition Awarded U.S. Army Contract

Winchester has been selected by the U.S. Army as the second source provider for small-caliber rifle ammunition. This most recent contract is for 5.56mm, 7.62mm and 50-caliber ammunition with an initial order of $37 million and is the third consecutive second source contract Olin Winchester has received.

“Winning this contract, combined with being selected as the operating contractor at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, solidifies Winchester’s position supplying small-caliber ammunition to the U.S. military,” said Brett Flaugher, Winchester president.
For more info: winchester.com

EOTECH Supports L.E., Veterans With Partnerships

EOTECH has announced support for L.E. and veteran communities through a continuation of its association with the Spirit of Blue Foundation and a new partnership with Mission 22, respectively.

EOTECH has renewed its financial support of the Spirit of Blue Foundation and its fundraising goals. The Spirit of Blue Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works nationally to grant safety equipment to L.E. agencies — awarding 152 grants to agencies in all 50 states since 2011.

Like the Spirit of Blue Foundation, EOTECH launched its “Back the Blue” funding initiative to help charities deliver critical law enforcement support programs. As part of this initiative, EOTECH created a special edition XPS2 Holographic Weapon Sight (HWS) featuring a Thin Blue Line Flag logo. Made in the USA, it’s a mission-adaptable sight featuring a quick target acquisition 68MOA ring and 1MOA dot.

“Many of our staff are former law enforcement professionals, so this cause is close to our hearts. Like most Americans, we stand behind our police. EOTECH is proud to provide funding to them through our Back the Blue initiative,” said Lisa Kemp, EOTECH director of marketing.

EOTECH has also established a new relationship with Mission 22 to further the organization’s reach of supporting veterans through treatment programs, memorials and community social impact projects.

As an extension of its “Back the Blue” campaign, EOTECH will donate 25% of its gross sales from every purchase of an XPS2 Back the Blue optic and/or Back the Blue merchandise sales to Mission 22 and other charities.

“We know America will be proud to own and use EOTECH’s special Back the Blue items knowing it supports our military and law enforcement veterans,” Kemp said.

For more info: eotechinc.com, spiritofblue.org, mission22.com

NWTF, OTF Announce First Cross-Promotional Partnership

The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) is joining forces with the Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation (OTF) to support national conservation and R3 efforts through their first-ever, cross-promotional partnership. The NWTF will promote OTF’s unique Outdoor Adventures program to its more than 200,000 members in nearly 1,600 local chapters, and OTF will promote NWTF’s JAKES program to its 65,000-plus Outdoor Adventures students in 40 states and 652 schools nationwide.

“Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation is a great fit to advance the outdoor heritage NWTF is passionate about,” said Mandy Harling, NWTF director of Hunting Heritage Programs. “The JAKES program is central to our mission and efforts to educate youth about hunting and the role it plays in conservation. OTF provides outdoor education to 65,000-plus students every year, and NWTF hopes to engage those same families outside of school in local, hands-on events where they can put the skills they are learning into practice.”

“NWTF’s promotion of the Outdoor Adventures school curriculum to its members and chapters will elevate awareness about this great program to other outdoors lovers throughout the country,” said Sean McLelland, OTF executive director.

JAKES is NWTF’s outreach program dedicated to informing, educating and involving youth in wildlife conservation and the wise stewardship of our natural resources.

OTF’s Outdoor Adventures program is a fun, interactive course, where students learn lifelong skills using an integrated curriculum including math, science, writing and critical thinking. Detailed lesson plans cover angler education, archery, hunter education, boater education, orienteering, survival skills, camping, outdoor cooking, challenge course, backpacking, mountain bike camping, paddle sports, rock climbing, shooting sports, CPR/first-aid and wilderness medicine.

“Both NWTF and OTF share a passion and commitment for educating the next generation of outdoorsmen and women,” said Ricky Fairchild OTF board chair. “We teach kids to appreciate, respect and conserve our wildlife, wild spaces and our outdoor heritage. We’re grateful that NWTF shares our mission and will offer hands-on experiences to our Outdoors Adventures students through the JAKES program.”

For more info: nwtf.org, goOTF.com