Earlier this season, Eddie Eagle joined a select cast of mascots and public servants for Heroes Day at the Florida Marlins' Sun Life Stadium. Always up to the challenge, Eddie (costume courtesy of a grant from the Florida FONRA) took his place along side his fellow honorees during the game's opening ceremony.

"It was great to be included in such esteemed company," said Eric Lipp, Manager of the Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program. "We're always happy to take advantage of any opportunity to keep spreading Eddie's life saving message; If you see a gun, Stop. Don’t Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult."

Heroes Day was a special event where the Marlins honored "local Super Heroes from the Fire and Police Departments." In addition to those from the Fire and Police Services, each nominated by their respective departments, Eddie was also paired with McGruff the Crime Dog and Marlins' mascot Billy Marlin.

Created in 1988, The Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program has reached more than 23 million children in all 50 states. For more information on Eddie Eagle, call the Eddie Eagle Department at (800) 231-0752 or visit www.nrahq.org/safety/eddie.

Eddie Eagle Program Coordinator John Draper sends NRAblog the following update from The Volunteer State:

The Dickson County Sheriff’s Office Eddie Eagle program recently took flight and landed at the Vanleer Elementary School in Tennessee. Deputy Amy Longtin and Captain Dwayne Hayes' presentation to the K-3 graders and their teachers was nothing less than a big hit.

If all goes according to schedule, Captain Hayes will be meeting with all the school principals in his county at the beginning of the 2010 school year to start planning and preparing for next year's Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® programs.

The Dickson County Sheriff’s Office received funds for the purchase of their very own Eddie Eagle mascot costume from a grant awarded in 2009 from the NRA Foundation (supported by the Friends of NRA) in Tennessee. Including the recent edition in Tennessee, there are more than 280 Eddie Eagle Mascot Costumes spread across the United States.

For more information about NRA Foundation grants, please visit us on the web at nrafoundation.org/grants/statefund.asp

Katie from NRA Law Enforcement sent NRAblog the following on Eddie Eagle's escapades in Pennsylvania:

Just last month, Eddie Eagle made a handful of appearances at the Otto Eldred Schools in McKean County, Pennsylvania. Reaching up to 745 students during the course of his visits, Eddie had time to share his life-saving message with students and teachers alike. At his side during these outings was McKean County Sherriff Stephen Smith.

McKean County received the Eddie Eagle costume in 2008. Since then, Eddie has been busily visiting schools, community centers, and law enforcement agencies throughout the area to spread: “If you see a gun” Stop. Don’t Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult.”

Created in 1988, The Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program has reached more than 23 million children in all 50 states.

For more information on the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program, call the Eddie Eagle Department at (800) 231-0752 or visit www.nrahq.org/safety/eddie.

The Special Olympics Torch Run in Anchorage, Alaska drew hundreds of enthusiastic participants – some from across the state and some from across the nation. Organized locally by the Anchorage Police Department to raise funds for Special Olympics Alaska, the Anchorage event was one of thirteen scheduled runs to take place simultaneously in places like Barrow, Fairbanks, Homer, Juneau, Kodiak, and Sitka. Always up for an opportunity to interact with the community, Eddie Eagle was there to cheer on the runners.

"The fun run is a great way for families and neighbors to get out and stretch their legs, get some fresh air and support training and competition programs for over 2000 Alaskan athletes with intellectual disabilities," said Special Olympics Alaska President & CEO Jim Balamaci.

After the run, Eddie met with a number of the runners, posed for some pictures, and caroused with the kids. For the little ones, there were plenty of Eddie Eagle coloring books and DVDs to go around.

Eddie makes appearances like this all throughout the U.S. everyday, impacting kids in tremendous ways. Reaching over 23 million children since 1988, the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program teaches Pre-K through third graders: “If you see a gun: Stop! Don’t Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult.”

You too can bring the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program to your community by contacting the Eddie Eagle Department at (800) 231-0752 or visiting their website at www.nrahq.org/safety/eddie.

You never know where NRA's favorite safety mascot is going to appear next. If you were lucky enough to witness the Blossom Time Grand Floral Parade, you would have seen Eddie Eagle enjoying a ride-around with the Oronko Township (Missouri) Police Department. As a special celebrity for the Floral Parade, Eddie was happily waving to the crowd while donning his famous smile.

"We love hearing stories like this," said Eddie Eagle Program Manager Eric Lipp. "It shows that our hard work spreading Eddie's life-saving message is really making an impact with the people."

But Eddie doesn't restrict his time to the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor, Missouri area. After all, the Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program didn't reach more than 23 million children by staying in one place. This revolutionary program is constantly popping up all over the nation to teach Pre-K through third graders: “If you see a gun: Stop! Don’t Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult.”

As you can see, the good people of Missouri welcomed him with open arms and you can too. For more on how to bring Eddie Eagle and his GunSafe program to your neighborhood, call the Eddie Eagle Department at (800) 231-0752 or visit their website.

Everyone knows it's the people that make the party. The NRA's Annual Meetings and Exhibits are no different. Below, a sampling of the audience from this year's Annual Meeting, held May 14-16 in Charlotte, NC: 

The 2010 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits drew 72,000 NRA members from across this great nation -- and across the spectrum of ages and interests, too. One of the more popular stops for families is the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program booth, where Eddie Eagle himself poses for photos with interested kids, as pictured at left.

"We handed out a lot of materials, and met with a lot of potential volunteers," Program Manager Eric Lipp told NRAblog. "This is one of our opportunities to meet and mix with people who are benefitting from the program, volunteers who are promoting the program, and NRA members yet to learn Eddie's life saving message."

Another popular booth centered on the NRA's Gunsmithing school program. NRAblog has reported on Gunsmithing Instructor Speedy Gonzalez's quest to create master gunsmiths at Trinidad State Junior College. Gonzalez was joined by other programs.

Pictured at right, several colleges line up on the Exhibit Hall floor to provide information about their respective gunsmithing programs. To find out about a gunsmithing program near you, check out their website at www.nragunsmithing.com.

Earlier in the meeting, NRAblog met some dedicated students from the North Carolina-based Montgomery Community College program at Thursday's National Foundation banquet. The night, filled with promise, prizes, and patriotism, featured a custom made rifle they donated to the NRA Foundation.

Thanks to the continued support from Universal Coin & Bullion, (NRA's Official Bullion and Rare Coin Dealer) Eddie Eagle training DVDs are now available in Spanish.

Available to any school, library, fire station or community group, the Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program has been taught to over 23 million young children nationwide.

"Since 1871, the NRA has stood for the core principles of education and preserving freedom, and I am a proud supporter of their Eddie Eagle program with their latest DVD release in Spanish," said Mike Fuljenz, President of Universal Coin & Bullion, Ltd.

Launched in 1988, Eddie Eagle was created by past NRA President Marion P. Hammer, in consultation with law enforcement officers, elementary schoolteachers, and child psychologists. It teaches children in pre-K through the third grade the following safety message: If you see a gun: STOP! Don’t Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult.

"I can't express how pleased we are to offer a Spanish version of this life-saving video," said Eddie Eagle Manager Eric Lipp. "Other materials, such as our workbooks and brochures, are already available in both English and Spanish. Now we can add Eddie's videos to the list."

The Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program has a booth conveniently located near the Will Call table in the Charlotte Convention Center.

Program Manager Eric Lipp reported steady crowds. “We’re mainly here to pass out materials for our members and guests,” Lipp said. “We want everyone to have the materials they need to keep their children, families, and neighbors safe.”

An NRA member from the Midwest said she came out to Charlotte to meet some family members, who volunteer with the Eddie Eagle Program in Alaska.

“They’re always helping out up there,” she said of her niece and nephew. “My young grandson watches the DVD, and he’ll be in the backseat of the car singing, ‘Stop. Don’t Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an adult.’”

Eddie Eagle himself makes appearances throughout the day, so check in with the folks at the booth to be sure you're on hand for a sighting if you're looking to meet the bird!

The NRA's popular firearm accident prevention program, Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program, recently celebrated 20 years of safety, and 23 million children reached.

Eddie Eagle himself is a popular character at the NRA's Annual Meeting each year. It's a good time for him to meet with the youngest members of the NRA, program manager Eric Lipp tells NRAblog.

"We'll be at our very own booth on the main level of the Convention Center on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so stop by," Lipp said, noting Eddie Eagle makes several stops per day at the booth.

If you're in town for the Annual Meetings, don't forget to stop by Eddie Eagle's booth. Whether you have children with you or know someone back home who might benefit from this program, pick up some complimentary materials, as pictured above. 

As we reported last week, the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program has spent several days in Charlotte, North Carolina, spreading its message to children in grades K through 3.

This article comes by way of the Gaston Gazette:

NRA gives gun safety message to Gaston County elementary students

Hands shot up on Wednesday morning when a guest speaker asked students at Catawba Heights Elementary what kinds of things keep them safe. But Jon Draper didn’t come from northern Virginia to talk about seat belts or smoke alarms.

The gun-advocacy meeting that could draw as many as 70,000 people to Charlotte doesn’t start until Friday, but some Gaston County schoolchildren have already encountered the National Rifle Association. In conjunction with the Mount Holly Police Department, the NRA-sponsored Eddie Eagle GunSafe program was held at Ida Rankin Elementary on Tuesday and at Belmont’s Catawba Heights Elementary on Wednesday.

Principals at both schools had to make special arrangements to participate in the program because of End-of-Grade Testing, which started on Tuesday for third- through eighth-grade students.

“We were fortunate enough to be able to use the auditorium,” said Ida Rankin Principal Ron Foulk.

The program is designed to teach children pre-K through third grades about firearm accident prevention.

To continue reading, click here.

To learn more about this program, check out their website. 

Schoolchildren in and around Charlotte, North Carolina, will soon hear the lifesaving message of the National Rifle Association’s Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program.

Eddie Eagle staff, along with members of the Mount Holly and Monroe Police Departments, will head to five area classrooms days before the 139th Annual Meeting in Charlotte to spread Eddie's lifesaving mantra: “STOP! Don’t Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult.”

"Both Police Departments, Mount Holly and Monroe, have been very receptive to the idea of bringing Eddie Eagle’s life saving message to the local elementary schools,” said Eddie Eagle Program Manager Eric Lipp. "Local law enforcement’s commitment to teaching children firearms accident prevention is a great thing to see.”

The program was created by past NRA President Marion P. Hammer, in consultation with law enforcement officers, elementary school teachers, and child psychologists. Now in its 22nd year, the program has reached over 23 million children nationwide.

Anyone interested in information about the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program should call the Eddie Eagle Department at (800) 231-0752 or visit their Web site at www.nrahq.org/safety/eddie.

Eddie Eagle Manager Eric Lipp brings us the following announcement:

Law enforcement agencies in Arkansas and Colorado will once more have a chance to win the Friends of NRA 2010 Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program state mascot costume competitions. The NRA Foundation (Friends of NRA) has donated funds for deserving law enforcement agencies to win an Eddie Eagle mascot costume. Only law enforcement agencies (including fire departments) in Arkansas and Colorado may apply. The Eddie Eagle mascot costume is valued at $2,650. This is an excellent opportunity to obtain a new mascot costume to enhance your Eddie Eagle safety presentations!

To enter, you only need to complete the Eddie Eagle Mascot Costume Contest Entry Form and return it to the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program. Entries must be postmarked by August 31, 2010.

Since 2001, 38 costumes have been awarded through different state Friends of NRA contests to law enforcement agencies. Last year’s winners of the Friends of NRA Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program mascot costume competition include: Bay St. Louis Police Department, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi; Las Vegas Metro Police Department, Las Vegas, Nevada; Cincinnati Police Department, Cincinnati, Ohio; Hays County Sheriff’s Office, San Marcos, Texas; and the New Caney ISD Police Department, New Caney, Texas.

For more information about the 2010 Eddie Eagle Mascot Costume Contest or to request a Mascot Costume Contest Entry Form, please call 1-800-231-0752, or email eddie@nrahq.org.

Eric Lipp, Manager of the Law Enforcement Division's Eddie Eagle program sends us the following:

The Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program is happy to announce that they recently received grants from The NRA Foundation. Grants are awarded through revenue raised by the Friends of NRA for eligible educational programs.

New Friends of NRA Grants were awarded by the State Fund Committees from the following states:

• Connecticut ($2,000)
• Iowa ($2,500)
• Kansas ($3,000)
• Kentucky ($5,000)
• Nebraska ($2,000)
• W. Pennsylvania ($3,000)
• South Carolina ($1,000)
• Tennessee ($4,000)
• S. Texas ($5,000)

The Foundation grants allow the Eddie Eagle Program to provide Eddie Eagle materials – including workbooks, DVDs, and stickers – absolutely FREE of cost to law enforcement agencies, schools and educators, day cares, hospitals, and libraries.

These grants make it possible for the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program to reach thousands of children every year with Eddie Eagle’s lifesaving message:

“STOP! DON’T TOUCH. LEAVE THE AREA. TELL AN ADULT.”

The funding is easy to use. Qualified users simply call 1-800-231-0752 and ask for ordering assistance using grant funding.

The Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program is always on the road trying to spread Eddie's life saving message to kids and families everywhere. Here's an excerpt from one trip in The Wooster Daily Record:

Wooster Police, Eddie Eagle team up to teach gun safety to students

With a cartoon, a quick shuffle and jingle, and a giant bald eagle scouring classrooms, the Wooster Police Department is trying to do its part teaching children about gun safety.

Eddie Eagle is the department's newest asset in gun safety and prevention. He's a more than 6-foot tall, beaked beacon trying to teach kids how to properly react in a situation when a gun is found.

A group of kindergartners at Wooster Christian School recently had the opportunity to meet Eddie, interact with him, and learn about gun safety.

Gathered in a cluster on the ground, Patrolman Tom Webber started his presentation talking about what children can do to remain safe, whether it was wearing a helmet when riding a bike, locking doors at night or not talking to strangers. From there, Webber moved the conversation to gun safety.

Read the rest of the story here.

From John Draper, Eddie Eagle program coordinator:

The York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office in Yorktown, VA has been teaching the Eddie Eagle GunSafe® program for some time. For the last five years that task has fallen on the hands of Deputy First-Class Mike Russell. As part of the York Co. Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention program, the Eddie Eagle program has been able to reach children in grades schools as well as scouts and other venues as requested all across York County.

The primary use of the Eddie Eagle GunSafe program is during their community Safety Town event, which is a partnership between the government and the community designed to teach children life-safety techniques. During that time, Deputy Russell teaches five classes a day for four weeks! Some topics covered are bike safety and of course, gun safety with Eddie Eagle! They also like to keep a stock of the “Parents Guide to Gun Safety” brochures on hand at all times to keep parents informed and educated.

One thing that Deputy Russell likes to stress with the program is that it is ‘gun neutral’. “The program is not propaganda, and that is evident in the materials”, says Russell, “Even if you’re anti-gun or don’t own a firearm, your child needs to know what to do if they come across a gun at a friend’s house, a neighbors, or anywhere?” In fact, the Eddie Eagle program has no agenda other than accident prevention – ensuring that children stay safe should they encounter a gun. The program never mentions the NRA or encourages children to buy guns or to become NRA members.

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