Program has Record Breaking Year!
By Jon Draper
Program Coordinator, Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program
Traditions magazine, Quarter 1:2010
This year is one for the record books in the land of Eddie Eagle. Through the dedicated work of law enforcement professionals, educators, civic leaders, parents and volunteers, the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program recently surpassed a major milestone of reaching its 23 millionth child with Eddie's life-saving message.
But that's not all - in 2009the program also sold and donated a record number of Eddie Eagle mascot costumes to law enforcement agencies across the country. The costumes are an incredible asset to the communities they are placed in and law enforcement personnel agree that having a character such as Eddie Eagle present during safety programs is a great way to hold the attention of a child and help ensure their important message is retained.
Started in 1988 by past NRA President Marrion P. Hammer, the Eddie Eagle GunSafe program has grown into a nationwide program that quickly became the leader in firearm accident prevention training. It's simple format focuses on an easy to remember message for children - if you see a gun,
"Stop! Don't touch.
Leave the area.
Tell an adult."
Today, law enforcement and schools from Sacramento, California to Miami, Florida have chosen to use the Eddie Eagle program to keep their city's youth safe. In fact, in the past 22 years, over 26,000 educators, law enforcement agencies and civic organizations have taught the Eddie Eagle program to children in their communities.
"The Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program has been a tremendous success," said Kayne Robinson, Executive Director of NRA General Operations. "23 million young people have received Eddie's life saving message, and the future of the program is bright."
The Eddie Eagle mascot costume began selling in 1997 and has since come to be known as an asset to all law enforcement that uses them. So how many costumes does it take to break a record you ask? Well, last year alone (2009), a record number of 26 Eddie Eagle costumes were given out to deserving agencies. This year (2010), the program delivered a total of 38 mascot costumes to agencies and NRA representatives across the country! That's 38 cities, towns and communities whose residents can feel a bit more secure in the knowledge that children within their communities are going to be taught about firearm accident prevention through the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program.
Costumes are often obtained by agencies who apply for grants through, the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program awarded nine additional costumes to qualifying agencies through in-house sponsored costume contest. Additionally, seven Eddie Eagle costumes were purchased directly by law enforcement agencies to use within their communities.
The Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program would like to recognize The NRA Foundation and Friends of NRA for their unwavering support, efforts and contributions on behalf of child safety. As Eddie Eagle looks to another year, the program hopes the continued dedication of law enforcement professionals, educators, civic leaders, parents and volunteers will contribute to surpassing yet another milestone of teaching 24 million children the important Eddie Eagle firearm accident prevention program.