SPONSOR

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Hello! I’d like to take just a few moments of your time to tell you a short story about a girl (me!) who is asking for support from local businesses (you!) to help me achieve a dream. 

I started my shooting career when I was seven with a Daisy BB Gun after my dad saw a flier for a local youth shooting team.  It wasn’t long before my involvement in shooting sports expanded to include many disciplines.  I competed at the state and national level for years in hunting scenario formats as well as bulls-eye competitions.  It was through these matches that I discovered my true passion -and skill set- really belonged to rifle shooting.  In the Spring of 2021, while on a college visit, I came across the rifle range at Texas Christian University and realized that I was not ready for my participation in shooting sports to come to an end.  I leaned against the sign outside that range and daydreamed,  “Wouldn't it be cool, Mom, to shoot for a college team?”  So, instead of letting time dictate my future, I set my sights (pun intended!) on collegiate rifle shooting.  Thus began a whirlwind transition that summer from hunting and sporter-style shooting to the Olympic-style shooting in which I now compete. 

The last year has been one of great challenges, and of overcoming.  As a result of dedication and great sacrifice (I believe in the business world they call it “opportunity cost”), great things began to unfold! The first of these came in February when I was contacted by the Women’s Rifle Coach at Texas Christian University with an offer to join the team as a walk-on for next fall.  This news came after I qualified for two of the highest academic scholarships available at TCU.   You see, I have also worked diligently in my academics as a member of the International Baccalaureate Programme at Springdale High School.  I'll graduate this year with highest honors and a 4.0 GPA.  With commitment and hard work in both shooting and in school, what was once only a long shot was really coming to life. 

Soon after this amazing news, I received notification that I qualified to compete at the USA Shooting National Junior Olympic Rifle Championship.  This event is held in Michigan in May.  Then, at the beginning of summer, I have the chance to attend another National Rifle match, this time in Colorado Springs.   Furthermore, I have been given a unique opportunity to travel with a group of shooters to Europe later this summer to train with other youth and international competitors.  Collectively, these three competitions and training opportunities require me to travel a total of 13,106 miles!  The cost to attend them averages to $0.50/mile. 

Would you be willing to help me to do something I only dared to dream of a year ago?  Here are three possible ways your business can support me:

• Your business can sponsor $0.50/mile for any number of miles (see enclosed tier chart) in exchange for advertising “real estate” on my traveling gun case.  My dad has agreed to create a logo/name sticker to be placed on the outside of the case.  You would advertise anywhere in the world I go!
• Your business can donate gift cards/certificates/goods/services to be placed into prize baskets for which I am selling tickets.
• You (and your employees, friends, and family)  can personally purchase raffle tickets to win a prize basket of goodies; two tickets/$1.00 (sponsors 2 miles). 

Any support you may wish to offer is greatly appreciated.  Sponsorship arrangements can be made by clicking above link,  calling Sarah Downum at 479-879-0865, or emailing sarahdownum@yahoo.com.   I look forward to representing Northwest Arkansas at these competitions and invite you to continue to follow my shooting  journey here. 

Most Sincerely,

 Annie Downum