SPRINGFIELD, Mass. –-(Ammoland.com)- Smith & Wesson Corp. today announced that it has contributed $34,000 to the Pioneer Valley USO. For the past ten years, proceeds from the company’s annual Big Game Dinner have benefitted the Pioneer Valley USO and its programs supporting American military personnel and their families. Armed forces members and families access the USO for social, recreational, educational and entertainment programs and services.
David Mendoza, Pioneer Valley USO Board President said, “It is truly an honor for the Pioneer Valley USO to benefit from the annual Smith & Wesson Game Dinner. We could not provide the needed level of support to our military men and women and their families in Western Massachusetts without this type of generosity.”
The Smith & Wesson Game Dinner is a unique event that offers attendees a chance to dine on a variety of wild game prepared by a team of dedicated volunteers. The sold-out event hosted nearly 500 guests and featured a menu of pheasant, quail, elk, caribou, bear, boar, and venison prepared by a team of volunteers. Led by Chef Norm Boucher from the Chicopee Comprehensive High School culinary department, volunteers created dishes like Antelope and Caribou Bourguignon, Southern-Style Pulled Boar, and Pot Roast of Maine Black Bear. In addition to the food preparation team, Smith & Wesson employees and friends donated over 500 volunteer hours to make the event a success. All game served was donated by hunters affiliated with Smith & Wesson, Foggy Mountain Guide Service, Linx Wildlife Management, and Smoldering Lake Outfitters, among others. This year’s event included a limited number of sponsorships that allowed participation by local businesses. Big Game Sponsor GemTech and other area businesses provided additional support for the USO.
Mark Smith, President of Smith & Wesson’s Manufacturing Services Division, said, “We want to thank the dedicated volunteers and generous contributors who make this event a success each year. Whether in the form of game donations or voluntary cooking and serving, our community comes together to lend support for this event and the Pioneer Valley USO, which offers critical aid to American service personnel and their families.”
About Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson Corp. is a provider of quality firearms for personal protection, target shooting and hunting in the global consumer and professional markets. Smith & Wesson is world famous for its handguns and long guns sold under the Smith & Wesson, M&P, Performance Center, and Thompson/Center Arms brands. Through its Manufacturing Services Division, Smith & Wesson Corp. also provides forging, machining, and precision plastic injection molding services to a wide variety of consumer goods companies. For more information on Smith & Wesson, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com.
About the Pioneer Valley USO
The USO strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country throughout their service to our nation. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about programming and services provided by the Pioneer Valley USO, please visit www.pioneervalleyuso.org or call 413-557-3290.