Heather Howard of the Fontana Police Department in Fontana, California, submitted the winning application for the 2008 Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program mascot costume competition in Southern California. The Fontana Police Department will receive an Eddie Eagle costume, at no cost, to aid them in their gun accident prevention efforts among young children.
Launched in 1988, Eddie Eagle was created by past NRA President Marion P. Hammer, in consultation with law enforcement officers, elementary school teachers, and child psychologists. It teaches children in pre-K through the third grade the following safety message: If you see a gun: STOP! Don't Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult. Since inception, more than 26,000 law enforcement officers, schoolteachers, and community safety leaders have taught the program to more than 21 million young children.
The program's delivery has been enhanced by the availability, beginning in 1996, of Eddie Eagle mascot costumes to law enforcement agencies. The costume helps capture children's attention during presentations, and leaves a lasting positive impression. According to Ms. Howard, the Eddie Eagle Mascot Costume has the potential to reach 37 elementary schools each year to teach Eddie's life-saving message.
"The Fontana Police Department is excited to partner with the National Rifle Association and the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program," said Chief Jones, Chief of Police of the Fontana Police Department. "The community of Fontana will benefit from the proven success of this 20-year-old program."
Kurt Wample, Friends of NRA Zone Coordinator and volunteer committee member, presented the Eddie Eagle Costume to the Fontana Police Department at the Friends of NRA Banquet in Pomona, CA, on October 23, 2008.
Said Lissa Lee, NRA Field Representative for Southern California, "One of the top priorities of the Southern California Friends of NRA committees is to support youth firearm safety and education, and we are pleased to be able to help award an Eddie Eagle mascot costume to the Fontana Police Department, which furthers that goal."
Over the years, the Eddie Eagle program has been praised by numerous groups and elected officials, including the Association of American Educators, the Youth Activities Division of the National Safety Council, the National Sheriffs' Association, the U.S. Department of Justice (through its Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency), 26 state governors, and 23 state legislatures, just to name a few. Since the Eddie Eagle Program was launched, the annual number of firearm-related deaths among children of the program's age group declined more than 80 percent. Gun accident prevention programs such as Eddie Eagle are a significant factor in that decline.
The Eddie Eagle costume represents a $2,650 value for the Fontana Police Department and was made possible through a contribution by the Southern California Friends of NRA. Thanks to the support of Friends of NRA around the country, 28 costumes have been donated through this contest to law enforcement agencies since 2001. The NRA encourages citizens nationwide to participate in heightening gun accident prevention awareness within their local communities.
Law enforcement agencies, schools, civic groups, and others interested in more information about the Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program should visit www.nrahq.org/safety/eddie, call 800-231-0752 or send an e-mail to eddie@nrahq.org.