Columnist Barb Henderson: Safari Club International: Thanks for making a difference

Barb Henderson

Friday, Nov. 22, 2002 | 10:02 a.m.

Barb Henderson is an outdoors enthusiast, freelance writer and producer/host of outdoors radio television programming. Her column appears Friday in the Sun.

The sportsmen/women of Safari Club International (SCI) continue to make a difference.

SCI, the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and in promoting wildlife conservation worldwide, has three Chapters in Nevada: Desert, Silver State and Northern.

Two of the humanitarian programs include Sportsmen Against Hunger, which helps share nature's bounty with the hungry; and Sensory Safari, which offers visually impaired children and adults an opportunity to "see" wildlife through the sense of touch.

Sportsmen Against Hunger has donated 6,000 pounds of venison and salmon to The Salvation Army, which converts to 24,000 meals. In addition, the SCI brought in world-renowned chef John Schumaker to teach the Salvation Army chefs how to prepare wild game.

The venison and salmon provided by SCI was a treat to those who eat at The Salvation Army dining room on West Owens. Many in the dining room had never eaten venison.

Locally, the Salvation Army feeds more than 1,000 people every day. For more information, 870-4430 ext. 23.

In conjunction with the SCI Desert Chapter, visually and hearing impaired students and children with multiple handicaps from the Clark County School District are given the opportunity to go on a "Sensory Safari."

More than 200 students participate in this event each year and the program at the Las Vegas natural History museum recently expanded to also include visually impaired adults.

The Silver State Chapter has provided funding to the museum for animal taxidermy, with those animals incorporated into exhibits. Both chapter members have donated taxidermied specimens to the museum from personal collections.

For more information, call the Las Vegas Natural History Museum at 384-3466 or click onto: www.lvnhm.org

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Holiday greeting

National Wild Turkey Federation CEO Rob Keck:

"This time of year, when we're all thinking about holiday traditions and spending time in the fall woods, the wild turkey comes to mind as the symbol of Thanksgiving and all we have to be thankful for. The NWTF would like to thank Nevada's hunters and volunteer members for all the great things you do for the wild turkey, other wildlife and the communities you live in.

"From restoring wild turkey populations and improving wildlife habitat to awarding scholarships to college bound students, sharing the outdoors with women, kids and disabled people and more, you're getting things accomplished. This Thanksgiving, NWTF members across the country are also helping the less fortunate by donating turkeys to help families complete their Thanksgiving feast through the Turkey Hunters Care program.

"For all these efforts and more, all of us at the NWTF want to thank you for your great efforts and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving."

Until next week, enjoy the great outdoors.