Young Marines receives $50,000 donation

WASHINGTON D.C. –  The Young Marines, a national youth organization, received a $50,000 donation from GLOCK on Friday, Oct. 23, 2015, at the GLOCK Pro Training Facility in Smyrna, Georgia.
The check was accepted by Lt. Col. Mike Kessler USMC (Ret), the outgoing national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. He was accompanied by Bill Davis who will be taking over as the director as Kessler moves into a consulting role.
“We are forever grateful to GLOCK for their continued support of the Young Marines and for their sponsorship of our National Leadership Academy,” Kessler said. “GLOCK continues to be a strong partner in our goal to strengthen the lives of America’s youth.”
Thirty Young Marines, age 11 to 18, from three Georgia units, participated in the event: Etowah Valley Young Marines; General Raymond Davis Young Marines and Metro Atlanta Young Marines.
“The Young Marines is an organization focused on developing character in the young men and women of our nation,” said Josh Dorsey vice president, GLOCK. “The things that you learn here will serve you well, serve our corps well, and ultimately our nation well.
After the presentation, the Young Marines were given a safety briefing and an exclusive range day. The safety briefing focused on the Four Basic Rules of Firearms Safety, proper grip techniques, and what to do if they ever found a firearm. During range time, the Young Marines and their parents received small group instruction from professional instructors.
“It’s sponsors like GLOCK in recognizing the value we bring to communities far and wide, that allow us the chance to grow,” Kessler said. “We send a powerful message that these Young Marines represent the future of our country, and we need to do all we can to get behind them.”
The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501c(3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through the completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
Since the Young Marines’ humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to 280 units with 7,000 youth and 2,500 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia and Okinawa with affiliates in other countries.
For more information, visit the official website at: YoungMarines.com.