Potter Honored with National Award for Youth Outreach Efforts
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Dave Potter was honored by the NWTF with the JAKES Volunteer of the Year Award during the organization’s 50th annual Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by Mossy Oak. Potter and his chapter are known for leading the annual JAKES Day for youth with disabilities, which just celebrated its 30th year.
“Winning this award was quite a shock and a surprise to me, and I am honored,” Potter said. “None of us do it for the award; we do it because we’re passionate about it, and we love to do it. We're happy to give those kids the opportunity that we take for granted.”
Potter goes above and beyond making arrangements for the JAKES Day. Each year, new students are invited to the event to experience the life-changing power of the outdoors. Youth with disabilities is a group that often lacks opportunities to try outdoor shooting sports or fishing unless someone makes them available. The annual JAKES Day is an opportunity for students to try something new without being told they can’t, and it's thanks to a team of dedicated and patient NWTF volunteers that rally behind Potter.
“We don’t know who has more fun, the kids or us volunteers,” he said.
As a special education teacher, he utilizes his connections with the local school districts to invite different students and ensure they have bus transportation. For his event, he reserves time and space at the local sportsmen club, schedules guest speakers, gathers materials and more. Potter also invited National Honor Society students from St. Regis Catholic School to volunteer and assist with the event.
The event itself started over 30 years ago when Potter’s dad was the chapter president. Now that his parents have passed, Potter said he knows that they’re looking down at all he’s done with this event, and they’re both smiling. The family legacy continues as Potter’s nephew attends the event as a young participant.
“It’s truly inspiring to hear about NWTF volunteers like Dave who dedicate their time and energy to getting young students outdoors,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “He embodies the NWTF vision of a nation united by the life-changing power of the outdoors with his JAKES Day for youth with disabilities, and we are proud of all the work he has done.”
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 25 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. Since 2022, the NWTF has also invested over $2.3 million in critical wild turkey research that, when leveraged with partner contributions, has resulted in more than $22 million to guide the management of the wild turkey and to ensure sustainable populations. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale to deliver healthy forests and wildlife habitats, clean and abundant water, resilient communities and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF is committed to creating a nation united by the life-changing power of the outdoors.