Bass Pro Shops Donates $1 Million to Camping Program for Kids
10-06-2008Bass Pro Shops today announced a $1 million donation to Victory Junction Gang, a year-round facility that enriches the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses by providing life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun, and empowering, in a safe and medically-sound environment.
In response to the Tony Stewart Foundation’s fundraising effort in June via the Old Spice Prelude to the Dream dirt late model race at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, Bass Pro Shops decided to match that generous effort by contributing $1 million to Victory Junction.
Bass Pro Shops has been a strong advocate and supporter of Victory Junction’s mission since 2002 and has pledged more than $150,000, donated equipment to offer special needs children the opportunity to fish for the first time, and donated several boats for the pleasure and use of Victory Junction campers. During each week of summer session, a specialized technician from Bass Pro Shops visits camp to provide fishing tutorials and maintains the fishing equipment on site.
“We are grateful to our good friend and fellow outdoorsman Tony Stewart as well as our good friends Kyle and Pattie Petty for allowing us to be a part of this great opportunity to bring a little joy to these special kids,” said Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops. “All of us at Bass Pro Shops have tremendous admiration for the Pettys and the good things they have done through their Victory Junction and also Tony with all the organizations he has helped through the Tony Stewart Foundation. We are especially proud to help bring such a wonderful facility to the Kansas City area that will benefit so many kids from our home state of Missouri and surrounding states.”
“Johnny Morris and everyone at Bass Pro Shops have been huge supporters of Victory Junction,” said Stewart. “The Petty’s first camp in Randleman was built in honor of their late son Adam, and his dream and vision will now be extended to even more kids in Kansas City. Bass Pro Shops has done so much to help Victory Junction and the kids who attend camp. I’m extremely proud of their efforts.”
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In consideration of Bass Pro Shops’ efforts for the Randleman, N.C.-based camp, Victory Junction named and branded the 7-acre fishing facility the Bass Pro Shops Catch, Kiss and Release Marina. In 2007, more than 845 fish were caught and kissed at the marina due to the generosity of Bass Pro Shops.
On Friday, Sept. 26, Victory Junction also announced its site selection for a second, medical camping facility for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. The expansion of Victory Junction will be located at 8205 Riverview Road, Kansas City, Kan., and built on 71 acres in Wyandotte County, Kan., pending Unified Government review and approval.
Based on this $1 million pledge from Bass Pro Shops, Victory Junction Gang will designate the marina at the Midwest camp the Bass Pro Shops Catch, Kiss and Release Marina as well.
“Victory Junction is blessed to have the continued support and a generous $1 million donation from Bass Pro Shops,” said Pattie Petty, co-founder and chief executive officer. “Since we opened in 2004, Johnny Morris and his entire organization have been a steward of our cause and placed thousands of smiles on our children’s faces. They are true ambassadors for this mission and role models within the philanthropic world.”
As a not-for-profit organization, the camp operates solely through the support of generous donors to provide this experience free of charge to children and families.
For more information on Bass Pro Shops, visit http://www.basspro.com. For more information on Victory Junction Gang, visit http://www.victoryjunction.org.
About Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops was recently named the #1 Outdoor Retailer in America by Sporting Goods Business Magazine. Headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, Bass Pro Shops, also an international catalog and internet retailer, currently has 52 retail locations in 26 states and Canada visited by over 100 million people per year. In addition, Bass Pro Shops, also provides products and services for thousands of independent dealers world wide through its subsidiary company, American Rod & Gun. Bass Pro Shops gift cards can be purchased at over 10,000 retail outlets across America. For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops store locations, products or special events, please visit http://www.basspro.com. To request a free catalog call 1-800-BASS PRO.
About The Tony Stewart Foundation
Two-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart established his Foundation in 2003 to raise and contribute funding to assist charitable initiatives that
. address the physical well-being of chronically ill or severely injured children;
. address the physical well-being of drivers seriously injured from participation in motor sports activities; and
. address the physical well-being and/or principle threats to animal welfare or animal conservation for a variety of animal species.
For more information, visit http://www.tonystewartfoundation.org.
About Victory Junction Gang
Victory Junction Gang is a year-round camping environment for children, ages 6 to 16, with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. Founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in honor of their son Adam, the camp is located in Randleman, N.C. with a second location opening soon in Kansas City, Kan. Victory Junction offers programs for 24 disease groups and maintains strong relationships with 22 partner hospitals. Victory Junction’s mission is to provide life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically-sound environment. As a not-for-profit organization, the camp operates solely through the support of generous donors to provide this experience at no charge to children and their families. For more information, visit http://www.victoryjunction.org.