Ruth’s Cottage and Patticake House, a child advocacy agency held its Annual Sporting Clays Fundraiser at Ocilla’s Green Lakes Hunting Club this past Saturday. The tournament was held on some of the most scenic and beautiful land I’ve ever witnessed in South Georgia.
Over 120 shooters were present for the event that raised nearly $14,000 to help children and adults in crisis.
The most unique shooter on the course was Shelley Miller of the Valdosta Fire Department and Fire Safety. They provide extinguisher service for Ruth’s Cottage. He was dressed in full Scottish shooters attire representing his membership of the VFD pipe and drum corps.
The tournament featured not only local shooters but also national competitors who travel the sporting clays tour. These wing shooters are sponsored by gun and sporting goods companies.
Each shooter would man a station where they would encounter clay targets launched from a variety of throwers to simulate different types of game animals such as quail, dove and rabbit.
There were single and double targets to shoot. Each target varied in speed and distance. Knowing some of the competitors present and having hunted with them, the humbling looks on their faces were priceless after being bested by the orange discs.
The winners of Saturday’s tournament are the children who will benefit from the resources earned. These children can’t protect themselves from the shameful abuses they have endured in the past but the funds raised can raise awareness and more importantly help provide a safe haven where a kid can be a kid.
If you couldn’t attend the tournament, please call Nancy Bryan at (229) 387-9697 and make a donation.
