USA Shooting, the national governing body for Olympic and Paralympic shooting sports, just scored a major win with a cash grant from the MidwayUSA Foundation’s Lones Wigger Endowment. This isn’t pocket change—it’s targeted funding to supercharge youth programs, covering essentials like ammunition, targets, competition fees, and even travel to the Junior World Championships in Suhl, Germany. CEO Kelly Reisdorf hailed the support as a game-changer for nurturing the next generation of marksmanship talent, while Deena McDorman, daughter of the legendary Lones Wigger (a four-time Olympian and World Champion shooter), emphasized the foundation’s unwavering dedication to building future podium contenders. In a world where anti-gun narratives dominate headlines, this move spotlights the quiet power of private philanthropy keeping precision shooting alive and thriving.
Digging deeper, this grant underscores a critical lifeline for youth shooting sports amid rising costs and regulatory headwinds. Programs like these aren’t just about medals—they’re masterclasses in discipline, focus, and responsibility, forging skills that translate directly to the 2A ethos of safe, proficient firearm handling. MidwayUSA Foundation, founded by Larry and Brenda Potterfield, has poured millions into over 200 youth shooting teams nationwide through endowments like this one, named after Wigger, a true pioneer who embodied the competitive spirit of American shooters. For the 2A community, it’s a bullish signal: when grassroots organizations step up, they counter Big Government overreach and cultural smears, proving that shooting sports are wholesome, Olympic-caliber pursuits that produce champions, not criminals. Imagine the ripple effect—a kid from rural America heading to Germany, rifle in hand, representing the USA while debunking myths about gun culture.
The implications? This fuels optimism for Paris 2024 and beyond, where U.S. shooters could medal thanks to investments like these. It also rallies 2A advocates to double down on supporting foundations like MidwayUSA’s, ensuring ammo shortages or travel bans don’t sideline our juniors. In an era of school shooting hysteria, stories like this remind us that real progress comes from empowering youth with guns under expert guidance, not stripping rights. If you’re in the community, consider donating or volunteering—because every round fired in Suhl is a victory for the Second Amendment.
