GRAVETTE — Eddie Eagle has landed in Gravette. He arrived just a few days before school was dismissed for summer vacation. But he paid them a surprise visit anyway.
Eddie Eagle represents the National Rifle Association in a program that helps teach children in pre-K through thirdgrade the important steps to take if they find a gun.
Pennie Berry, Gravette Police Department administrative assistant, through a grant request, secured an Eddie Eagle costume and a supply of related video and gun safety materials.
Second graders visited Eddie Eagle at the police station and later he visited other elementary grades at school or attheir kindergarten graduation rehearsal.
The NRA has promoted the program since 1988 and has reached more than 21 million children in all 50 states.
This is Eddie Eagle’s first visit to Gravette.
Berry said the costume and materials will be available for use in the school in future years and kids who did not get to see Eddie will be introduced to him then.
News, Pages 8 on 05/30/2012