Shooting Team Gets NRA Grant
In the photo (left to right): Nicolas Magnano (shooter), Dylan Boniello (shooter), James Nix (shooter), Bill Griffiths (RSO), Stella Nix (shooter), John Wellman (scout leader/crew advisor), Luke Jackob (shooter), Evan Jackob (shooter), Norm Dauerer (coach). Not pictured is Dan Brisco the American Legion rep and crew committee chair. (Photo by Richard Jackob - Mar. 1, 2020)
We also have several members of the shooting crew that could not be in attendance on Sunday but who have already achieved their initial levels of qualification. They are: Lily Graves, Conner Graves, and Conner McGlynn.
The kids in the photo are holding this year’s NRA Grant Recipients sign. NRA Grants have been a major support for our shooting team for the purchase of the vast majority of our equipment, including our target rifles, mats, kneeling rolls, slings, pellets, shooting gloves, spotting scopes, etc., etc., etc.
The shooting crew exists under auspices of the American Legion / Boy Scouts of America Venture Crew program. Our American Legion Post 1758, known as the Manny Bacon Post of Hopewell Junction supports this endeavor through the donation of countless volunteer hours through the administrative and coaching support required to run the program. In addition, the Post has provided financial support for the purchase of the qualification awards for the kids, such as patches, medals, and certificates.
The Whortlekill Rod and Gun Club is also a major supporter of the shooting team in that they donate the use of the range, free of charge, throughout the year and have done so for well over 10 years. In addition, the club has recently seen fit to donate zippered hoodie sweat shirts that double as shooting shirts and are embroidered with the club logo. These are awarded to the kids as they achieve their initial qualifications through the Winchester/NRA Air Rifle qualification program. The kids are free to attach the qualification patches to the shirts as they achieve them.