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The Western North Carolina Friends of NRA has awarded a grant worth more than $4,000 to Tom Cowden Youth Shooting Sports (TCYSS).

The grant includes 12- and 20-gauge shotgun shells and clay targets. Ammunition is the life’s blood of a youth shooting sports program. The grant also includes clay targets. Ammunition is the “life’s blood” of a youth shooting sports program.

TCYSS hosts and support the Davie County 4-H Shooting Sports Club and a Scholastic Clay Target Program Shotgun team made up of kids from this and other 4-H clubs in the area. The Davie County 4-H Club has more than 75 members between the ages of 8-18.

TCYSS also hosts Summer Day Camps for the 4-H Summer Fun Day Program and for the Davie Co. Recreation and Parks Department and provides a facility for an area wildlife team to practice.

“We have been able to serve hundreds of kids over the years, thanks in great part to the Friends of NRA,” said Nelson Cowden.

“If you are going to teach kids firearms safety and the fundamentals of shooting, you have to have something for them to shoot. That hasn’t been easy the past several years due to ammunition shortages and the cost of ammunition.

“However. we have been blessed with grants from the Friends of NRA for nine years now and have not missed a beat due to ammunition shortages, even during the height of the shortages during Covid.

“TCYSS wants to extend our thanks to the NRA and encourages all shooting sports enthusiasts to support the Friends of NRA and our 2nd Amendment Rights. One way is to become a member and other ways include attending area banquets like the one held in April here in Davie County.”

The Davie County 4-H Shooting Sports Club is open to all area youth ages 8-18. Contact Danny Lough or Lisa Crowder at the Davie County Agriculture Extension for more information or visit www.tcyouthshootingsports.org.