"Even through this organization has experienced tremendous growth, the NWTF still strives to be the best in giving thanks to its volunteers on the local, state and national levels," said NWTF Chief Operating Officer Carl Brown.

To recognize NWTF's volunteers on a national level, several awards were presented during the NWTF 25th Annual National Convention and Sport Show held in Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 15-18.

Awards were presented to chapters that held outstanding Women in the Outdoors and JAKES events last year. L.A. Dixon awards were presented to chapters for overall outstanding accomplishments. These awards were named after NWTF past president L.A. Dixon. Dixon was known for saying to the volunteers, "Right on brother!" for a job well done.

Following is a list of L.A. Dixon Chapter Membership Awards:

Outstanding First Banquet Net
$64,801 Net Income
Johnston County Longbeards, Smithfield, N.C.

Outstanding First Banquet Highest Total Membership
617 Members
Bladen Lakes Chapter, Elizabethtown, N.C.
             
Outstanding First Banquet Highest Net To Gross Percentage
94% Net to Gross Ratio
Langlade County Longbeards Antigo, Wis.

Membership Achievement
2,349 Members
Neil "Gobbler" Cost Chapter, Greenwood, S.C.

Best Net to Gross over $10,000
Net to Gross Ratio 120%
White Mountain Merriam's, Pinetop, Ariz.
    
Best Net to Gross over $5,000
Net to Gross Ratio 90%
Pend Orielle Kootenai Gobblers, Sandpoint, Ind.

Greatest Net Income
$116,128
Neil "Gobbler" Cost Chapter, Greenwood, S.C.

1st Runner-Up
Atlanta Chapter, Atlanta, Ga.
$107,765

For more information on the Women in the Outdoors and JAKES of the NWTF, call (800) THE-NWTF. Visit the NWTF web site at www.NWTF.org.

For more information contact: Jonathan Harling at   jharling@nwtf.org