The 2011 SHOT show was a success on many levels with buyers, media and industry partners packing the Gerber booth over the four day show. That said, one of our greatest successes may have been the decision to invest in the future. Ours yes, but also in an organization that has represented the fabric of community for over one hundred years, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).
In a sales promotion run throughout the show we offered SHOT attendees the chance to purchase a new Bear Grylls Compact Scout, with proceeds to benefit the BSA. Beyond even our wildest expectation we were able to raise almost twenty-three thousand dollars which we turned over to our regional chapter of the BSA, the Pacific Cascade Council.
According to Michael Egan, Director of Development for the Cascade Pacific Council of the BSA, which provides services and youth-development programs to families and community organizations in eighteen counties of northwest Oregon and southwest Washington states, the funds will be used for Camperships for low-income youth.
Media including Blade Magazine and Outdoor USA took notice, but more than anything, as Marketing Director Corey Maynard said so well, "we very happy to give back to our local community, a community that has greatly supported Gerber over the years.”
We hope this is just the start of things to come and in fact, just this week kicked off a Facebook promotion in which we will donate one dollar to our local BSA chapter for every new fan who follows us on our page. More from Gerber and the BSA to follow.
