FITCO Cares Foundation Featured on Discovery Channel’s “Sons of Guns” Tonight for Charity

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dallas-based FITCO, and its non-profit organization FITCO Cares, will be featured on the Discovery Channel’s popular “Sons of Guns” show season premiere tonight at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.

“We are hoping this unique rifle will help raise thousands of dollars for the deserving brothers and sisters defending our country.”

Along with best-selling author of American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History and highly decorated U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, Will Hayden’s team will remake a H&K 416 into something that resembles the rifle that killed Osama bin Laden. The gun will become an H&K MR556, and will be created specifically for auction beginning tonight until Sept. 26 with all proceeds going to FITCO Cares.

“What FITCO Cares does for our brave men and women struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, getting back in shape and acclimating back to civilian life are phenomenal,” said Kyle. “I’m glad this rifle will be auctioned off for a great cause.”

The gun will be designed as civilian grade (semi-automatic and a longer barrel), signed by both Chris Kyle and Will Hayden, and feature many state-of-the-art attributes including:

• Surefire Flashlight with remote tapeswitch
• Tangodown Quick detach vertical foregrip
• Eotech Tan EXPS Holographic sight and Flip-to-Side magnifier
• LDI DBAL laser sight
• Magpul CTR stock and sights
• Guissele SSA trigger

The gun will be the focus of a two-week national auction that can be accessed through FITCO Cares’ website. On October 1, FITCO Cares will announce the winner, as well as the total proceeds that will go to helping more soldiers overcome Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and be given high-performance fitness equipment.

“We can’t wait for this episode to air this evening because of the good that will come out of it,” said Travis Cox, director of FITCO Cares and a U.S. Marine recon/sniper in his own right. “We are hoping this unique rifle will help raise thousands of dollars for the deserving brothers and sisters defending our country.”

The relationship between Chris Kyle and FITCO Cares traces back to a personal need. Kyle originally approached FITCO CEO Jason Kos for help with other soldiers’ acclimation back to civilian life. Kyle knew about FITCO and its reputation in the elite fitness equipment industry. He approached Kos about possibly donating some used equipment to some guys he knew from his tours overseas.

Following a two-hour meeting, Kos and Kyle created a bigger and better idea, make that request perpetual and a mission. Together, they formed FITCO Cares as a separate 501(c)(3) to share the assistance for all returning soldiers to get physically and emotionally fit again.

“I was blown away,” Kyle said. “They’ve gone way above and beyond.”

To bring attention to the cause of helping veterans with their physical and mental health, FITCO Cares is facilitating this national auction. The “Sons of Guns” premiere on Discovery will air tonight at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.

For more information on facilitation of donated health club memberships, individualized programs, personal training and life coaching to in-need veterans with disabilities, Gold Star families and those suffering from PTSD, contact FITCO Cares at [phone] or visit www.FITCOCares.org.

The FITCO Cares Foundation is recognized as a 501(c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Service so all donations are tax deductible.

About FITCO Cares

Established in 2012, FITCO Cares “Heroes Project” provides free, in-home fitness equipment, facilitation of donated health club memberships, individualized programs, personal training and life coaching to in-need veterans with disabilities, Gold Star families and those suffering from PTSD. Our goal is to provide the necessary equipment and training to allow these individuals to pursue their recovery from the privacy of their own home. The FITCO Cares Heroes Project in-home gyms provide easy access and a more private environment to work out and work through some of these uncertainties. The FITCO Cares Foundation is recognized as a 501(c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Service so all donations are tax deductible. For more information about FITCO Cares, visit www.FITCOCares.org.

About FITCO

FITCO, recently voted as one of “Dallas’ Best Places to Work” by the Dallas Business Journal, specializes in providing a superior fitness experience for customers by delivering premium commercial fitness equipment. The company also provides full solutions including site design, equipment selection and installation of equipment. Partners include multi-family units, hotels, country clubs, municipalities and corporate fitness centers around the country. Headquartered in Dallas, FITCO has offices in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Utah. For more information about FITCO, visit www.FITCOFitness.com.