Great Outdoor Blog

Customers of Great Outdoor Provision Co. can get more than a great deal on outdoor gear this month – they can help provide a coat to a neighbor in need.

During the last week of October the locally owned Great Outdoor Provision Co. reaches out to community missions and delivers coats for the homeless during their 7th Annual Great Outdoor Coat Swap.  Customers who donate a clean used jacket will receive a 20% discount off the regular price of selected outerwear  Last year’s Coat Swap delivered nearly 2500 jackets to the needy. Mountain Hardwear has provided support for this effort.

“I’ve always known our customers are special.” comments Tom Valone, owner.   “Every time we sponsor a charity drive our and customers come through, I’m reminded why I love this business.”

Bruce Storer, director of development for the Raleigh Rescue Mission in downtown Raleigh, remarks on last year’s Coat Swap and says “It’s a significant gift. This is the time of year that we really need coats as well as food and blankets. We’re blessed to have this relationship with Great Outdoor Provision Co.”

If you want to do more—or are looking for volunteer opportunities this season—local shelters and missions always need warm clothes, blankets and food during the winter. Here’s a list of rescue missions in the seven communities we do business in; you can call them or check their Web sites for the best way to help:

• RALEIGH: Raleigh Rescue Mission
• CHAPEL HILL: Orange Congregations in Mission
• CHARLOTTE: Charlotte Rescue Mission
• GREENSBORO: Greensboro Urban Ministry
• WINSTON-SALEM: Samaritan Ministries
• WILMINGTON: Good Shepherd Center
• GREENVILLE: Greenville Community Shelter

The annual Coat Swap program is one of several philanthropic efforts the Great Outdoor Provision Co. and its customers help support. Others includeHabitat for Humanity, local land trusts, Scouting (both boy’s and girl’s organizations), and the N.C Wildlife Federation.

Founded in 1972, the Great Outdoor Provision Co. is a family-owned retailer of clothing and gear for outdoor recreation enthusiasts and has seven stores in North Carolina cities. Learn more at www.greatoutdoorprovision.com

Governor Perdue has once again declared October Mountains-to-Sea Trail Month, and we have lots of great
ways for you to celebrate. Thanks to all our sponsors for their support.

Month-Long Activities

• Submit a photograph into our 1st Annual MST Photo Contest sponsored by Great Outdoor Provision Co. Deadline: October 31st.
• Check out the photos that have already been entered on our Photo Contest Flickr site.
• Buy a raffle ticket to support the MST and gain a chance to win 18 great prizes of gift cards and gear donated by Great Outdoor Provision Co., Jesse Brown’s Outdoors, and Mast General Stores. Tickets cost $5 or $20 for five. E-mail Kate Dixon, FMST Executive Director, at kdixon@ncmst.org to place an order.
• Test your knowledge of the MST in the Trivia Contest sponsored by Great Outdoor Provision Co. Each day, from October 1 to November 7, they’ll post a new question about the MST. The first person to answer the question correctly that day will win a raffle ticket. Anyone who answers all 38 questions correctly will win five raffle tickets and fame as an “MST Trivia Whiz – 2011!” Thanks to Danny Bernstein, the 21st person to complete the MST, for writing the questions.
• Take the Backpacking NC Challenge and win great prizes by completing at least two of the trips in Joe Miller’s recent book Backpacking North Carolina. Deadline: October 31.

Special Events

• Tuesday, October 4 - World class ultrarunner Diane Van Deren will present an exciting program in downtown Raleigh. Proceeds from VIP ticket sales will be donated to FMST. Sponsored by The North Face and Great Outdoor Provision Co.
• Friday-Sunday, October 7-9 - Campout! Carolina. Pitch a tent over the weekend to show your support for North Carolina’s environment. Campout! Carolina is hosted each year by Earth Share, a partnership of environmental groups including FMST that participate in workplace giving. Last year, more than 8400 people camped out during Campout! Carolina. Register to let Earth Share know you plan to participate this year.
• Sunday, October 9 - Clues on the Neuse. Join us for a family-friendly scavenger hunt along the MST in Smithfield.
• Thursday, October 13 - Trail Grand Opening in Raleigh of the first eight miles of the Neuse River Greenway/MST. 10:00 am at the Falls Lake Dam canoe launch, 12098 Falls of the Neuse Road.
• Saturday, November 5 - Benefit dinner and concert for the MST at Galileo’s in Boone.
• Tuesday, November 8 - MST Month Closing Celebration when we’ll announce the winners of the Backpacking Challenge, the Raffle, and the MST Trivia Whizes. Join us @ 6 pm at the Cameron Village Great Outdoor Provision Co. store, 2017 Cameron Street, Raleigh for fun, fellowship and refreshments.

Trail Workdays

• Saturday, October 1 - Sauratown Trail (north of Winston-Salem)
• Thursday, October 6 - Blue Ridge Parkway (near Boone)
• Saturday, October 8
  • Blue Ridge Parkway (near Boone)
  • Eno State Park (north of Durham). Join this workday to help FMST qualify for a $1000 grant from Prudential YSU Realty.
• Saturday, October 15
  • Blue Ridge Parkway (near Boone)
  • Sauratown Trail (north of Winston-Salem)
• Saturday, October 22
  • Blue Ridge Parkway (near Asheville)
  • Falls Lake (north of Raleigh and Durham). After this workday, the Army Corps of Engineers will thank the volunteers by hosting a cookout!

Photo © Dr. David Blevins, all rights reserved

Research Triangle Park, NC – This past weekend the North Carolina Wildlife Federation presented the 48th Annual Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards to 20 winners dedicated to conservation in North Carolina.

The following remarks accompanied the presentation of the Governor’s Business Conservationist of the Year award to Tom Valone, owner of Great Outdoor Provision Co.

“Walk the talk. That’s a phrase that means practicing what you preach, leading by example, and letting your actions spread your message. For two decades, the Great Outdoor Provision Co. has walked the talked when it comes to meaningful green business practices. In fact, the Great Outdoor Provision Company walks the talk, paddles the talk, climbs the talk, hikes the talk, fly-casts the talk, and camps the talk. With seven stores in North Carolina and a legacy of giving back, the Great Outdoor Provision Co. is for many many customers as much a beloved part of the state’s landscape as a mountain view or Piedmont waterfall. Under the leadership of local owners Tom and Becca Valone, the stores have celebrated Land Trust Day for 20 years, donating profits back to local land trusts. The company provides trail crew assistance every month for the Mountains-to-the-Sea trail, supports Boy Scouts and Girl Scout Programs, helped establish the N.C. State Parks Junior Ranger Program, and contributes to conservation groups from the Wildlife Federation to the Conservation Trust for North Carolina, another half-dozen local lands conservancies, the Audubon Society, Coastal Conservation Association, and more.

The Great Outdoor Provision Co. puts its money where the wild is, and where it can inspire North Carolinians to do the same. For that kind of leadership, it is the 2010 Governor’s Business Conservationist of the Year.”

Awards winners are nominated by the citizens of North Carolina and decided upon by a committee of scientists, environmental educators, and conservation activists. “This awards program brings together a remarkably diverse group of conservationists to highlight the `good news’ about wildlife conservation in North Carolina,” said Gestwicki, “Our primary focus is to applaud and honor these people who work so hard for wildlife and the air, water, land that they and all of us depend upon”.

RALEIGH, NC – June 23, 2011
The North Carolina Wildlife Federation honored Great Outdoor Provision Co. as the recipient of the 2010 Governor’s Conservation Achievement Award a recognition given annually to individuals, governmental bodies, organizations and others who have exhibited an unwavering commitment to conservation in North Carolina.

These are the highest natural resource honors given in the state. The Governor’s Award stated honored Great Outdoor Provision Co. as Business Conservationist of the Year and stated :

“From local land trusts to Boy Scout troops, from the Mountains-to-the-Sea Trail to local rescue mission, the Great Outdoor Provision Company gives back to North Carolina, embodying the best of local ownership, entrepreneurship, and investment in the lives of its customers. Founded in 1972, the company now has seven stores in seven North Carolina cities.”

More details about the distinguished award can be found at http://www.ncwf.org/awards/

In response to the devastating spring storms in the South and Midwest, the Great Outdoor Provision Co. and KEEN have joined forces to raise money for the American Red Cross to support Spring Storms disaster relief efforts. KEEN will donate $5 for every pair of its shoes sold from June 17 to July 3.

Great Outdoor Provision Co. and SmartWool have set up a program to give customers a way to help those affected by the devastating storms that recently came through North Carolina. In an effort to share the comfort of SmartWool, Great Outdoor Provision Co. will donate a pair of SmartWool socks for every two pair of SmartWool socks sold during the period of May 20-30 (or while supplies last).

All Great Outdoor Provision Co. shops will participate in sharing the comfort of SmartWool with our neighbors affected by the recent storms. For every two pairs of SmartWool socks sold, Great Outdoor Provision Co. will donate the third pair to MERCI, the Mission and Mercy Resource Center based in Goldsboro, NC. The MERCI Center depot is currently working with disaster victims and their expertise helps reduce shipping costs and maximize efficiency when responding to emergencies in North Carolina. Thank you for your support.

Saturday, April 2: Join and Save
Join the Pamlico-Tar River Foundation or renew your membership at our Greenville shop and receive a FREE Camelbak Water Bottle and SAVE 20% on any one regular priced item (excludes boats, rods and reels).

Support the Educators of Excellence Fund, Win a Kayak!

Through the end of Teacher Appreciation Month, February 2011, support the Educators of Excellence Fund by purchasing raffle tickets for your chance to win a Hurricane Santee 116 kayak and paddle, donated by Great Outdoor Provision Co! The winner also receives a day trip for four with a Museum naturalist to try out their new kayak.

Tickets will be on sale all month online, at the Museum store, and at Great Outdoor Provision Co. stores.

$5 for one ticket
$20 for five tickets

>> Buy Raffle Tickets

Save the date for an evening of short, entertaining films related to water.  Each screening will open with a wine and cheese reception, followed by a series of short, entertaining films related to water.  Tickets are only $10 for adults and $5 for children or students with a school ID.

A few highlights from the 2011 Riverkeeper Film Festival will include the award winning comedy about a woman’s strange dreams after gorging herself on clam pie, a documentary short that follows a family’s journey to the glacial apron of a mountain, and Rain Down From Above, a film by Russian animator Ivan Maximov.  Festival-goers will also hear the story of a group of volunteers who risk their lives to disentangle humpback whales from marine debris.  A short documentary film created by Exploris Middle School students will also be shown at the Raleigh screening of the Riverkeeper Film Festival.  The film, Kids Can Conserve, is a clever, fun and upbeat take on how kids can make a positive impact on the environment.

Thursday, Jan 13
Raleigh Riverkeeper Film Festival in Five Points Neighborhood

An open house wine and cheese reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. at The Third Place and the films will begin at 7:30 at the Rialto Theater.

Friday, Jan 14
Durham Riverkeeper Film Festival at the Durham Arts Council

A wine and cheese reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. with music by Country Time bluegrass band.  The films will begin at 7:00.

Friday, Jan 21 — Oriental Riverkeeper Film Festival
Saturday, Jan 22 — New Bern Riverkeeper Film Festival

Visit neuseriver.org for more information or to purchase tickets.

Nearly a year after our film premier in downtown Wilmington, NC, Redfish Can’t Jump is finally coming to TV. Showing for the first time in High Definition, WILM channel 10 (the CBS affiliate in Wilmington), will air the film in its entirety with never before seen interviews and footage. We’re excited about the opportunity to have a brand new audience for RFCJ. Please mark your calendars for the shows. There will be two airings: January 1st (7pm-8pm) and January 29th (12n-1pm).
- Luke Pearson / Lift Films

CONTEST: Find Trusty and win a $50 gift card!

Watch the extra content during the broadcast of RFCJ and Find Trusty in the form of GOPC logo. Identify his location and post as comment at facebook.com/TrustyGOPC. Hint – He’s likely to show up on some sort of cool outdoor gear! Just simply tell us where you saw him. For example: “On a vest” or “On a duffle.” We’ll draw a winner and have consolation prizes from Patagonia as well. Enjoy the show!