The North Carolina Handicapped Sportsmen, Inc (NCHS) is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization working with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), Triangle Chapter of SCI, Wake County Wildlife Club, Armed Forces Foundation, Paralyzed Veterans of America and other organizations and individuals working around the state who believe in our goal. NCHS will continue to contact other PVA, WWP support groups, and other veterans’ organizations around the state. In addition, our organization will continue to reach out to children’s hospitals, medical, and rehabilitation facilities. We have 1 goal, “helping all handicapped people in the state have access to the great outdoors.”

NCHS, like all the other non-profits, is feeling the effects of the economy. It is my hope that we will have a good year with our fundraising, so we can help more people get out and enjoy the outdoors. We will have a booth at the Dixie Deer Classic March 5th, 6th, and 7th. The first prize this year is a new Howa Hogue Ranchland Combo .22-50 with our logo on the stock. Second prize is a new CVA Wolf Nickel/Camo .50 Muzzleloader. Anyone who would like to help with the booth or selling raffle tickets, please let us know.

This year, NCHS helped a very special young man, Joey Davenport. Joey is contending with life threatening health issues, but still smiles and does everything he can to get out and participate in outdoor programs. Recently, Joey has been having problems and he really needs everyone to keep him in their prayers.

I will be in Raleigh this week at the NCWRC meetings. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about what is going on in Raleigh with the NCWRC Disabled Sportsmen’s Program. The main two issues that I personally believe are most important are Access and Opportunity.

On January 22, 2010, I was very honored and humbled to receive the SCI 2009 Pathfinder Award in Reno, Nevada.. SCI’s description of the award states:

This award is presented to an individual who is faced with overcoming
a physical challenge or disability that is otherwise capable of interfering
with a routine way through life; he or she must discover previously
unexplored regions of self-esteem, self-worth, courage, persistence,
and determination. The recipient is someone who has a “never quit”
attitude and who is recognized as an ambassador for other “pathfinders”
seeking leadership when faced with similar challenges.

I would like to thank all the individuals and organizations who have worked so hard to make the North Carolina Handicapped Sportsmen, Inc a success, including the NC Triangle Chapter of SCI, NCWRC, Wake County Wildlife Club, Murphy Farms, Grady White Boats, Cyprus Knee Chufa, Legacy Sports, Van Products, and all the Board Members of NCHS. To all of the NCWRC Commissioners, thank you for your support.

Edward Mays
President NCHS

No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs,
once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the
nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth!
Ronald Reagan