The National Rifle Association is pleased to name the 2012 Friends of NRA Volunteers of the Year. Presented by Mill Pond Press, recipients were recognized for their outstanding impact on Friends of NRA, the grassroots fundraising program for The NRA Foundation, America’s leading charitable organization in support of the shooting sports.

“Volunteers are the backbone of most non-profit organizations and NRA volunteers are heads above the rest,” said Linda Schaner, President of Mill Pond Press. “We at Mill Pond are thrilled to be associated with Friends of NRA and honored to have taken part in recognizing these volunteers’ accomplishments.”

Each NRA Field Representative selected an Area Volunteer winner based on year-round efforts. Area Volunteers received a “2012 Friends of NRA Volunteer of the Year” jacket and special recognition from their NRA Field Representative. From the pool of Area Volunteers, a committee of senior NRA staff selected Region Volunteers of the Year who were honored and recognized May 2, at the National NRA Foundation Banquet during the 2013 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston, Texas.

“Friends of NRA volunteers spend countless hours selling tickets, recruiting sponsors, and setting up events,” said Sarah Budi, Director of Volunteer Fundraising. “They are the real testament to the success of the fundraising program and we are grateful for their time protecting and promoting the shooting sports for future generations.”

The 2012 Friends of NRA Region and Area award winners and their committees are listed below:

Region Volunteers of the Year:

Eastern Region: West Virginia and Western Virginia: William Shank, Midland Trail

Central Region: Missouri: Tim Heuiser, South East Missouri

Mid West Region: Colorado: Patty Cattoor, Colorado State and Black Canyon

Southern Region: Florida (Southern): Gary and Pat Graef, Greater Ft. Myers and Charlotte Harbor

Western Region: Nevada: John Madden, Reno/Sparks and Modesto

Area Volunteers of the Year:

Eastern Region:

Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York (Lower) and Rhode Island: Stan Pascoo, Hudson Valley

Delaware and Pennsylvania (Eastern): Charlie Fox, Bradford Area

Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont: Elizabeth Elliott, New Hampshire Seacoast

New York (Upper): Paul Lendvay, Catskill Region

North Carolina (Eastern): Elvie Jackson, Greater Triangle

North Carolina (Western): George and Shirley Pullman, Western North Carolina               

Ohio (Northern): Todd Figard, North East Ohio

Ohio (Southern): Donald Pagath, Zanesville Area

Pennsylvania (Western): William Tylavsky, PA’s 1st

Virginia (Eastern) and Washington, D.C.: Hugh Crittenden, Greater Richmond

Central Region:

Illinois (Northern): Christina Cira, East Central Illinois

Illinois (Southern): Veron Auld, Perry/Randolf

Indiana: Richard “Dick” Hacker, Hendricks County

Iowa: Bobby Meyer, North Iowa

Kentucky: Scott Smith, Big Rivers

Michigan: Robert Haviland, WWCCA

Nebraska: Tim Gray, High Plains

Tennessee: Butch Rhea, Fayette County

Wisconsin: Kellie Walsh, State Line

Mid West Region:

Kansas: Doug King, Butler County

Minnesota: James Kelley, Itasca County

Montana: John Shevlin, Central Montana and North Central Montana

New Mexico: Jeanie Otis, San Juan

North Dakota: Scott Bachmeier, Southwest

South Dakota: Doug DeLaRoi, Northern Oahe

Oklahoma: Jimmy Hawk, Cherokee Strip

Utah: Monte Smith, Ogden

Wyoming: Laura Milne, Casper

 

Southern Region:

Alabama: Mike Parsons, Huntsville

Arkansas: Jeff Eddy, Independence

Florida (Northern): Patty Galyean, Suwannee River

Georgia: Doug Hollberg, Sr, Central Georgia

Louisiana: Lori & Marcell Parker, Florida Parishes

Mississippi: David Goode, DeSoto County

South Carolina: Charles Johnson, Lexington

Texas (Northern): John Capps, Ellis and Barnett Shale

Texas (Southern): Carol Hester, Alamo

Texas (West): Robin Dawson, Texas Panhandle

Western Region:

Alaska (Northern): Steve Smith, Nome

Alaska (Southern): Jodee Kuden, Alaska State

Arizona: Hugh Winderweedle, White Mountain

California (Central): Noel Ryan, Paso Robles

California (Mid): Dan Weare, Exeter and Tulare

California (North Eastern): Barry Blaylock, Tuolumne County

California (North Western): Michael Amato, Livermore/Pleasanton

California (Southern): Dennis Kee, SoCal Gun-O-Rama, South OC, San Gabriel Valley, Metro OC

Hawaii and Oregon: Mike Fitz, Portland

Idaho: Rich and Trudy Jackson, Treasure Valley

Washington: Richard “Rick” Crawford, Kittitas County