Local shooters join fight against breast cancer
By Matthew Neal
Argus Observer
Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:39 AM PDT
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| Scott Ford | Argus Observer
Nyssa’a Dawna Runnels checks her pistol, while a Parma Rod and Gun Club safety officers watches her clear the weapon, after she blasted a clip full of lead down range during the Parma Rod and Gun Club’s first annual Shoot for a Cure fund raising event to benefit breast cancer. |
PARMA—Last Saturday the Parma Rod and Gun Club organized a fundraising event for breast cancer research. The 1st annual “Shoot For A Cure” event was such a success that many of its participants are already looking forward to next year.
With the generous donations of many local businesses, over $4,500 in merchandise and prizes, were awarded to many of the 92 shooters, 61 of which were women. In fact, one of the goals of the event was to introduce the sport of pistol shooting to women who have had little or no experience with handguns.
Event organizer, match director and Rod and Gun Club Member Travis Fischer said an important element of the shoot was creating an environment where women would feel comfortable handling, shooting, and competing with handguns.
“It was important for us to get women out to the range to familiarize them with the use of handguns in a comfortable setting instead of their husbands trying to tell them what to do. We created a comfortable atmosphere for beginning women shooters and I think that helped with any anxiety,” Fischer said. “It was all about women.”
The club’s efforts succeeded in every facet of what it set out to accomplish. First and foremost, the revenue generated from the event produced the substantial sum of $3,800. All the money went directly to MISTY or (Mountain States Tumor Institute) at St. Lukes Hospital and the Susan G. Komen Foundation For the Cure.
The event was highlighted by the participation of many people in the community, including volunteers and local businesses. Larry Rob and his staff at the Red Apple in Ontario provided plenty of food for free to the event’s participants.
Fischer also noted that the safety officers (Parma Rod and Gun Club members) also called range officers had a highly positive impact on the event because of their tact, professionalism and for their ability to keep the atmosphere comfortable for the beginning shooters.
The event attracted women of all ages and encouraged them to learn about the proper handling of handguns. Women aged 15-74 competed in the different events of the day, with Nyssa resident Dawna Runnels notably standing out with her accurate shooting.
As it turns out, this beginning pistolero was the most accurate shooter of all the participants.
“It was awesome,” Runnels said. “Many of the people there have had a person in the family affected by cancer. In fact, there was a 74 year-old lady who was a cancer survivor. It was a fun time and they made quite a bit of money for the cause and that was the most important part of the event,” she said.
Fischer said along with raising funds for cancer research and promoting women within the sport, another goal of the event was to promote the gun range as well.
“We are always gunning for more members,” Fischer said.
The 200 member-strong club plans on more events in the future.
For additional information on the club, visit its website at www.parmarng.org.
