Elk NetworkBass Pro Shops’ RMEF Conservation

Volunteer News | August 13, 2012

Bass Pro Shops’ RMEF Conservation
Month on Tap Again for July 

By Bob Swanson, Director of Sales

Bass Pro Shops will continue its staunch support of the Elk Foundation in 2010 by hosting the fourth annual “RMEF Conservation Month” during the month of July.

At all 55 retail outlets and via its website, Bass Pro Shops will ask customers to donate $2 to the Elk Foundation. The donation will enter them into a drawing for exciting prizes—including a Colorado 2010 elk and deer hunt combo for one with Welder Outfitting Services, a Professional Bull Riders World Finals Package for four, and $1,000 and $500 Bass Pro Shops gift certificates. The drawing will be held August 31, 2010.

Bass Pro Shops forwards 100 percent of the proceeds raised during the national promotion to RMEF in support of its mission. In addition, Bass Pro Shops matches 50 cents for every dollar raised through the event. And RMEF chapters are invited to set up booths at their local Bass Pro Shops stores during the month of July to sell the $2 donation tickets, educate visitors about elk and conservation and promote the foundation.

In 2009, the Leeds, Alabama, Bass Pro Shops store and the RMEF’s Birmingham Chapter went all-out, selling hotdogs alongside the tickets. Chapter members also sold tickets at the Birmingham Deer Expo to raise more money. Their efforts helped them finish first in fundraising among Bass Pro Shops stores and RMEF chapters, raising nearly $9,500—an accomplishment indicative of the volunteer’s spirit and dedication to the RMEF’s mission, especially considering Alabama is a non-elk state.

 “Bass Pro Shops makes us feel welcome every time we set up our booth in the store,” says Randy Waterhouse, RMEF regional director for Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. “We appreciate the opportunity they offer us to educate many folks about the mission of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.” 

RMEF vice president of marketing Steve Decker says that the Elk Foundation is proud to continue its partnership with Bass Pro Shops through their RMEF Conservation Month, adding that to date, including matching dollars, this program has raised in excess of $200,000 for the Elk Foundation’s mission programs.

For more information on how to get your chapter involved, visit www.bassproshops.com and www.rmef.org.