03/20/2010
Kentucky Man Wins National Volunteer of the Year Award
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — For his commitment to helping people with disabilities enjoy the outdoors, David Gibson of Glendale, Ky., was recently honored with the National Wild Turkey Federation's Wheelin' Sportmen NWTF Volunteer of the Year Award.
 Kentucky's David Gibson of the NWTF's Heartland Chapter received the Wheelin' Sportsmen Volunteer of the Year Award at the 34th annual NWTF convention and sport show. Click image for print quality version |
Gibson accepted the award during the 34th annual NWTF National Convention and Sport Show. The convention, sponsored by MidwayUSA, is taking place through Feb. 21 in Nashville, Tenn.
"Once I joined the Heartland Chapter, I got to see all of the NWTF's good outreach programs and I loved what they stand for," said Gibson. "I love being able to help others and give back a little for what I've enjoyed. It's the best thing I've ever done."
Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF provides all people with disabilities opportunities to enjoy the outdoors through local chapter events nationwide. 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 who is eager to get outside and participate in an active lifestyle.
The volunteer of the year award is presented annually to a Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF volunteer who displays a willingness to help others and a dedication to the NWTF's mission of conserving wild turkeys and preserving our hunting heritage.
"David was once explaining his NWTF memorabilia to an exterminator at his home. He told him about the Federation's outreach programs and after about five minutes, the exterminator pulled out his check book and asked David how much a he owed him for an NWTF membership. The exterminator explained that he had a daughter with a disability and wanted to support Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF," said Pat Cardin, NWTF regional director for Kentucky. "Stories like that are why David deserves this award."
Each year, Gibson coordinates the Heartland Chapter's annual catfish roundup for anglers with disabilities. His work for the event includes recruiting for donations, setting up for the event, supervising the catfish delivery and assisting the anglers on the day of the event.
"With David leading the way, the Heartland Chapter's catfish roundup has become one of the most successful Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF events in the nation," said Illana Burkhart, Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF program coordinator.
Gibson has been an NWTF member since 1998 and a committee member for the Heartland Chapter since 2001. From 2004 to 2008 he served as vice president of the chapter. He has also volunteered at Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF events for other chapters in Kentucky, and with events for the NWTF's Women in the Outdoors and JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) outreach programs for women and youth respectively.
The NWTF is a nonprofit conservation organization that works daily to further its mission of conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage. The Federation works to increase interest in the outdoors by bringing new hunters and conservationists into the fold through outdoor education events and its outreach programs — Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin' Sportsmen, JAKES and Xtreme JAKES.
Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations across the country, spending more than $306 million to conserve 14 million acres of habitat for all types of wildlife.
2010 Convention Sponsors: Affinity4, ATK/Federal Premium Ammunition, Bank of America, Bass Pro Shops, Benelli, Browning, Call Makers and Collectors Association of America, CamoFX, Chevrolet, Farm Service Agency, Foxy Huntress, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, HuntVe, Knight Rifles, Leupold & Stevens, Marlin Firearms Company, MeadWestvaco, MidwayUSA, Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, National Band & Tag Co., O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc., Mossy Oak and The Pursuit Channel, The Outdoor Connection, Remington Arms Company, Inc., SHE Outdoor Apparel, TriStar Sporting Arms, USDA Forest Service, Weatherby, Inc., Wild Turkey Bourbon, Winchester Division/Olin Corp.
