KENNESAW, Ga.– The Yamaha Rightwaters plastics recycling program returned more than 10,000 pounds of Polyethylene and Polypropylene sheet plastics back to base materials during 2021, proving a pilot concept the sustainability initiative hopes to expand in 2022. Yamaha Rightwaters announced the program in August and continues to work with Nexus® of Atlanta, Georgia and Tommy Nobis Enterprises® of Marietta, Georgia, to develop a larger national program intended to reduce plastic waste in America’s waterways.

“Polyethylene and Polypropylene constitute a substantial portion of the plastic in our oceans harming fish populations. This pilot program proves these plastics can be broken down in a cost-effective manner that Yamaha Rightwaters can potentially replicate on a national level,” said Martin Peters, the Government Relations Division Manager for the Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit. “It also demonstrates that Yamaha builder and dealer partners are willing to become active participants in the program, further underscoring a marine industry commitment to conservation and sustainability.”

Yamaha developed a reverse logistics program to return the protective covers from select boat builders, retail dealers and its three boat production facilities. The sheet plastic used in the pilot program comes from protective boat covers at Contender Boats, Regulator Marine, Xpress Boats, Yamaha Jet Boat Manufacturing (YJBM), Skeeter and G3 Boats. Read more

 GRINNELL, Iowa 

During that week in November, Brownells pledged to give a percentage of all sales from www.Brownells.com to SOWW.

Strong support from Brownells customers made it possible to send a hefty check to the 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to helping Purple Heart recipients of the Special Operations community through therapeutic outdoor experiences and other services.

Many of SOWW’s typical fundraising activities such as benefit dinners and live auctions have been curtailed during the pandemic, making outside donations even more critical to its mission.

“We are very grateful for our customers who helped us fund this awesome organization,” said Brownells Chariman Pete Brownell. “Thank you all for helping fund SOWW and for supporting the warfighters who benefit from SOWW.”

“We are forever thankful for the continued support that Brownells has offered Special Operations Wounded Warriors,” said SOWW President Joel Pellicci. “They have been a partner in charity since our inception and they continue to be a major source of funds and support of our efforts to help special operations veterans throughout the year.  Brownells’ support over the past two years has been our charity’s lifeblood due to the loss of annual fundraising events because of Covid 19 impacts.”

The SOWW Board of Directors accept no salaries and SOWW maximizes its ability to directly support veterans and their families in every way it can.

To help support SOWW, visit www.sowwcharity.com. Read more

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COLUMBIA, MO – Wednesday December 15, 2021 marked the official ribbon cutting ceremony for Boy Scouts of America’s new Council office, programs, and activity center – a generous donation from MidwayUSA co-founders Larry and Brenda Potterfield.

Last year, during a Board Meeting of the Boy Scouts of America, Great Rivers Council, the Potterfields announced the donation of the Lincoln Building on their MidwayUSA campus to the scouting organization. MidwayUSA’s Customer Support operations, former occupants of the 13,000 square foot building, recently moved to the Company’s new distribution center.

“This building has served us well but is no longer a part of our future. We are fortunate and pleased to be able to donate it to one of our favorite organizations,” said Larry Potterfield, MidwayUSA Founder and Executive Chair of Board of Directors. Read more

The application period for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Deer Habitat Improvement Program grant is now open.

This grant program is available in partnership with the Alpena-Montmorency Conservation District. It is designed to fund deer habitat improvement projects on private land in counties where bovine tuberculosis is present. The awarded funds will be used to improve deer habitat and increase opportunities for hunters to successfully harvest deer.

Landowners with property in Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, Oscoda and Presque Isle counties are eligible to apply for the grant. Applications for habitat improvement in other counties will not be considered. Grants will be awarded in amounts from $500 to $2,500. A total of $50,000 will be available for grants and program delivery in 2022. Read more

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is wrapping up an improvement project at the popular berm in William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor, located along the Detroit Riverfront.

Due to years of high visitation and steep slopes, one of the park’s most notable features was eroding. As part of the improvement project and to help deter future erosion, the berm was reshaped and alternative access routes to the top of the berm were integrated, including several sections of stairs and an asphalt pathway that complies with Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines. In addition, more topsoil, grass seed and plantings were strategically placed. These efforts will help stabilize the berm, enhance access and add aesthetic value.

Although the majority of the project has been completed, the berm is not anticipated to open to the public until the end of May. The handrails cannot be installed until early January, due to the product being on back order. The May opening also will allow the new trees, shrubs and grass enough time to grow and establish themselves to avoid future erosion. Read more

GRINNELL, Iowa – Brownells customers can enter for their chance to win a $1,000 Brownells gift card and get access to Brownells exclusives on special products from popular brands like Geissele, Daniel Defense and Law Tactical during the annual Black Rifle Friday Event.

Customers can enter their cell phone number now for a chance to win one of four $1,000 gift cards at the Brownells Grand Giveaway entry page.

The Black Rifle Friday Event deals and exclusives begin on Friday, November 26. Starting Friday, customers will have access to doorbuster pricing on both overstock and new products, unique bundle deals, and gift card specials.

One of the highlights will be a new addition to the very popular Brownells BRN-180 line.

Customers will also get an opportunity to purchase a unique, one-time-only product created through a collaboration between Sons of Liberty Gunworks and Geissele.

Other specials include Law Tactical folders in a new, exclusive color, along with deals on items from Holoson, Aero Precision, Foxtrot Mike, MDT, Timney and Apex.

The grand finale of the Black Rifle Friday Event will be Cyber Monday, November 29. On Monday, Brownells will unveil additional special deals and exclusives, giving customers one more chance to buy an extra special holiday gift or claim an exclusive product. Read more

Washington DC has one of the highest cost of living nationally, requiring a $67,867 annual salary. Unfortunately, a huge portion of the population lives on an hourly wage that equates to $45,080 annual salary. That’s over a $20k gap between livable wage and actual pay. It’s not just DC that has this issue. California recently attempted to compensate the difference between cost of living and pay by upping the minimum hourly rate to $13/hr for companies with less than 26 employees, and $14/hr for companies with more than 26 employees. Washington state has a similar initiative, with increases in 2022 to $14.49/hr.

Unfortunately, though CA and WA state provide some of the higher minimum wage rates nationally, they are a far cry from what, on average, is considered a livable wage. The median living wage across the entire US is $67,690 annual pay, and $14/hr just doesn’t cut it. The stress impacts of disparages between pay and cost of living, are dire. In fact, the effects of living in poverty on children can be long term dysregulation of physiological properties, and a reduction in cognitive performance and psychological well being. Poverty and wage gaps are not just financial crisis’, these issues are human health hazards effecting entire generations. Read more

RICE LAKE, WI – Henry Repeating Arms is pleased to announce that a donation of 65 custom “Support 4 Sami” rifles raised a total of $46,700, all of which will benefit the family of 11-year-old Sami Bernadzikowski of Elkridge, Md. The money provides relief for the medical expenses incurred throughout Sami’s treatments for multiple congenital heart defects, including five open-heart surgeries and over thirty catheterization procedures.

The “Support 4 Sami” Golden Boy Silver lever-action rifles are a continuation of Henry Repeating Arms’ Guns For Great Causes program, a charitable arm of the company that focuses on raising funds through firearms donations for individual sick children, children’s hospitals, active-duty military and veterans organizations, wildlife and habitat conservation efforts, and supporting other Henry partners. The program has raised over $250,000 for six families over the past two years.

Anthony Imperato, CEO and Founder of Henry Repeating Arms, says, “Time and time again, the Henry family steps up to the plate and knocks it out of the park with their unending generosity to help us with these Guns For Great Causes initiatives.” Imperato continues, “To those of you who purchased one of these rifles or offered your support in some other way, I thank you for giving Sami another reason to show off that big smile.”

The rifles, priced at $650 each, sold out in less than 24 hours after the initial announcement of their availability. The first and last serial numbers went to an online auction block, and the hammer fell at $2,725 and $3,025, respectively. Read more