Sportsmen's Expo attendees have opportunity to help Haitians

SANDY — This weekend, outdoor lovers will have an opportunity to help those displaced by the earthquake in Haiti.

An estimated 1 million people are homeless after a devastating earthquake in Haiti in January. An organization called World Care has teamed up with MyCampUSA.com to host a "Trade Your Tent" event at the Internationals Sportsmen's Expo at the South Towne Expo Center this weekend.

Anyone who drops off gently-used tents or sleeping bags for donation to Haiti will get more than the warm feeling of helping others. MyCampUSA.com will give donors a coupon for 50 percent off select tents and $25 off select sleeping bags.

Since the first earthquake on Jan. 12, World Care has been collecting first aid, hygiene and emergency supplies. The Tucson, Ariz.-based nonprofit has partnered with several federal and international aid organizations to send supplies to Haiti. To date, the group has sent more than $1.5 million in resources to Haiti.

In addition to the "Trade Your Tent Event," the 12th annual Internationals Sportsmen's Expo will run from Thursday to Sunday with the opportunity to see, do and buy just about anything related to the outdoors.

Among the popular events are a children's recreation and education area, the Dock Dogs competition, Yellowstone Bear World's baby black bears and many other vendor and education opportunities.

The expo will also feature presenters including Cameron Hanes, bowhunting "rock star" and ultra-marathon runner; Chad Schearer and family, all of whom are champion elk hunting experts; Jeff Foiles, waterfowl hunter/caller; Molly Semenik, Jared Johnson Jack Dennis and Kelly Galloup — all from the World of Fishing Network; and Roger Selner, the man behind the Eastman Deer Mount Tour, who has driven millions of miles in search of extraordinary deer mounts and the stories behind them.

New to the show is survival expert Doug Huffman, who spends his time tracking criminals and teaching other experts how to track. He also teaches on how to survive not just in nature, but in schools, neighborhoods and other urban areas. He conducts survival seminars in northern California and Nevada.

e-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com