Member of the BCCC Foundation Board of Directors, Wally Eldridge takes aim in practice for the Sporting Clay Shoot set for April 20 at LaSada Sporting Clays and Hunting Services. An avid hunter, Eldridge stepped up to become the lead board member in planning and implementing the event.

For more information, contact Darnell Holopirek, 620-792-9367.

April 11, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Linda Jerke

BCCC Foundation Gears Up for Sporting Clay Shoot April 20

The Barton County Community College Foundation is aiming for success with a new fund-raiser – a Sporting Clay Shoot on April 20 at LaSada Sporting Clays and Hunting Service near Russell. This event will raise funds for mini grants for Barton’s faculty to enhance their students’ learning.

There’s still plenty of time to register, and in fact, shooters can register on the day of the shoot, but the Foundation would prefer to receive registrations before the event, said Darnell Holopirek, Barton’s executive director of institutional advancement. “Knowing how many people plan to participate will help us prepare for the event,” she said.

 “This is a new fund-raiser for a new cause,” Holopirek pointed out. “Several faculty members have a need for resources for classroom study or projects and they don’t always have those extra funds in their budget. We hope this new event will create some new opportunities to enhance student learning.”

Wally Eldridge, a member of the BCCC Foundation Board of Directors and an avid hunter, stepped up to become the lead board member in helping plan and carry out those plans for the clay shoot, Holopirek said.

Set from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 20, the Sporting Clay Shoot will have individuals or three-man teams competing in special shoots, side competitions and raffle drawings for all ages. “You don’t have to be a good shooter to win,” Holopirek said. “The involvement and fun will determine the real winners.”

The entry fee of $50 per person includes lunch, round of 100 sporting clays and door prizes. Anyone wishing to register for the event may contact the BCCC Foundation Office, 620-792-9367.

In support of the Sporting Clay Shoot, Barton’s Technical Art Club, led by graphic arts instructor Dana Allison, designed the logo for the event – a dark blue circle with sporting clays shooting through the center.

In early preparations, the Foundation acquired several sponsors for the event. Since proceeds are aimed at student success in learning, the sponsorship opportunities have been named in academic terms, including: President’s Honor Roll, $500 – Farmers Bank and Trust, NA, and Niedens Construction; Dean’s Honor Roll, $350 – Achieve Rehab, Western Kansas Surgical / Dr. Bill Slater, and Smith Supply Inc.; Academic Honor Roll, $200 – Farmers National Bank and UMB Bank; and Station Sponsor, $150 – Adams, Brown, Beran and Ball CPA, Butterfly Supply, Hoisington National Bank, Mel and Darnell Holopirek and Wal Mart Supercenter.

The Foundation is hoping to make the clay shoot an annual event, and this year’s success will make that happen, Holopirek said.