Smith & Wesson to Host COPS4KIDS Match To Benefit Kids Fighting Cancer

Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 152-year old handgun maker, in conjunction with The Police Officers Safety Association is hosting the first Isabella de Bethencourt Memorial COPS4KIDS Match on March 19, 2005. All proceeds from this law enforcement tactical style match will benefit the Jimmy Fund at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

In May 2003, eleven-month old Isabella de Bethencourt succumbed to cancer at Children's Hospital in Boston, MA after living most of her short life there. In appreciation of the selfless, Herculean efforts that the hospital staff made to save her life, Isabella's parents, Heather and Michael, created an event to raise money for the hospital to help other children like Isabella. Since Michael de Bethencourt is a well-known police trainer, a pistol match seemed like a natural way to combine some fun with fundraising for a worthy cause. This event is open to all members of the law enforcement community and will be held at the prestigious Smith & Wesson Academy in Springfield, MA.

Sponsorships are available on a first-come, first-serve basis for stage sponsors ($3,000), gold sponsors ($2,500), silver sponsors ($1,500 to $2,499), and bronze and product sponsors. All donations are tax deductible and must be reserved by January 5, 2005. For information on how to be a sponsor or to participate, log on to www.posacops4kids.com or call 401-568-9930.

About Smith & Wesson Smith & Wesson is one of the world's largest manufacturers of quality handguns, law enforcement products and firearm safety/security products. The company also provides shooter protection, knives,apparel, footwear and other accessory lines. Smith & Wesson is based in Springfield Massachusetts with manufacturing facilities in Springfield and Houlton, Maine. The Smith & Wesson Academy is America's longest running firearms training facility for law enforcement, military and security professionals. For more information, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com.