Approximately 25,000 hunters and shooters threw their name into the hat for a chance to win a Henry Lever Action Youth Model .22 during our November Gift Giveaway.
Accompanying the avalanche of entries we received were many heartfelt promises to give the gun to a daughter or grandson, which is exactly what Henry Repeating Arms hoped for when they donated the rifle—and 49 others—to NRA Youth Programs back in September.
It’s encouraging to see so many people who want to get kids involved in hunting and shooting, and I wanted to share just a small sampling of the touching e-mails we received from NRA members who wanted to win the gun so they could pass it on to a youngster.
“I would love to have this rifle for my son. He is 8 years old and has Asperger’s Syndrome (high-functioning Autism and ADHD). Every doctor says being outside, active, and with animals is good therapy. He loves to go to the gun range with me, carve wood with me, work on cars with me, do yard work with me—and now is wanting to go hunting with me.”
“I’d love to win this Henry rifle as a Christmas gift for my 13-year-old grandson. I taught his dad to shoot and respect the rules; his dad is teaching him the same thing. His dad (my son) is also an NRA member of several years standing, and the gift of a rifle for my grandson would be a good way to begin his own NRA membership.”
“Dear NRA: Thanks for the opportunity in possibly winning the Henry Lever Action Youth Model .22 rifle. I was planning on buying my son one when, like most unfortunate Americans, I got laid off from my job. My son still talks about it, but he understands and is good about it. If he wins this it would be an awesome Christmas gift. Thanks again for the opportunity.”
“This is the perfect starter gun for my eldest granddaughter. She is the daughter of a Marine (my eldest son) who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and was honorably discharged at the end of his tour. She and her dad would be thrilled to start out her shooting experience with an American legend.”
The winner of the rifle, Bob Jerdon of Northampton, Pa., has plans to give it to his 9-year-old son for his 10th birthday. Fittingly, Mr. Jerdon was in a tree stand on the opening day of Pennsylvania’s firearms deer season when we notified him he had won the rifle.
In response to the overwhelmingly positive feedback we received from last month’s giveaway, we are offering a SECOND Henry Youth Model .22 as our gift for the month of December. To get your name into the drawing, send an e-mail to huntersrights@nrahq.org and put “Gift Giveaway” in the subject line. We’ll draw the winner at random at the end of the month.
Even if your name isn’t drawn, please take the time to visit www.henryrifles.com, where you can get a free copy of Henry’s color catalog and see the full line of high-quality, American-made guns the company offers for kids and adults alike.
