02/20/2010
Kentucky Man Wins JAKES Volunteer of the Year Award
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — For his commitment to educating youth about outdoor activities, Jim Williams of Eddyville, Ky., was recently honored with the National Wild Turkey Federation's first JAKES Volunteer of the Year Award.
 Jim Williams was honored as JAKES Volunteer of the Year at the 34th annual NWTF National Convention and Sport Show. Click image for print quality version |
Williams accepted the award at the 34th annual NWTF National Convention and Sport Show. The convention, sponsored by MidwayUSA, is taking place through Feb. 21 in Nashville, Tenn.
"As hunters, youth are our most important resource. We have a lot of kids that don't have mentors to take them hunting or to do anything in the outdoors. Mentoring is what our chapter and I strive to do," said Williams, volunteer with Kentucky's Shelley Nickell Chapter. "With our chapter, it's a family thing, and that's what it's all about."
The NWTF's JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) program for kids ages 12 and under, and Xtreme JAKES program for youth ages 13 to 17, give young people the opportunity to explore the outdoors through hundreds of events nationwide. Williams was selected for the award because of his devotion to the programs and dedication to educating youth about the benefits of conservation and preserving our hunting heritage.
"Jim has proven himself as a leader and visionary for our JAKES and Xtreme JAKES programs," said Mandy Harling, JAKES program coordinator. "He developed the idea for Olympic-style medals to be awarded to exceptional JAKES participants at events and with his guidance, the NWTF's Shelley Nickell Chapter always hosts a great event for Kentucky's youth."
With Williams leading the way, the Shelley Nickell Chapter's 2009 JAKES event attracted more than 75 young people who were visited by wounded military veterans and spent the day making birdhouses, shooting air rifles, participating in a turkey calling contest and more.
As a founding member of the Kentucky State Chapter, Williams has been an NWTF member since its inception in 1973 and his first membership card is on display at NWTF headquarters in Edgefield, S.C. His volunteerism was rewarded in 2001, when he received the Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service Award and again in 2006 when he and his wife Pat received the 2006 Wild Turkey Bourbon Rare Breed Award. Both awards reflect his more than 35 years of commitment to conservation and outdoor education, and volunteerism with the NWTF.
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.
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.
