The support which partially makes youth shooting sports possible for the High Plains Clay Busters and Morgan County’s 4-H shooting sports programs will continue thanks to another successful Morgan County Friends of NRA event earlier this month.
Friends of NRA organizes banquets across the country to help support youth shooting sports, including programs of Junior ROTC, 4-H, FFA and other organizations.
“4-H would not have a shooting program if it weren’t for the Friends of the NRA grant,” said Dave Martin, who in addition to serving as sheriff gives of his time in support of local youth shooting sports.
He attended the banquet with Matt Wulf, who also assists the youth shooting sports teams.
“Between the Clay Busters and 4-H, more than $20,000 has been awarded to the groups over the years, thanks to the Friends of the NRA,” Wulf said. “We utilize the money to buy shotgun shells and clay targets for the 4-H.”
Youth participants, with support from such sources as the Morgan County Friends of NRA, have advanced to state and national competitions.
The Morgan County Friends of NRA is headed up by co-chairs Donna and Ron Shaver, along with a committee of volunteers.
This year’s event earlier this month was sold out with about 250 guests in attendance at the Longmeadow Event Center in Wiggins. Those in attendance included members of the Fort Morgan Elks Lodge and present and former elected officials. County Commissioner Jon Becker even ended up with the NRA’s Gun of the Year, a Sig Sauer P210 9 mm.
The event gathers those supportive of the Second Amendment and for the future of gun ownership, shooting sports and hunting to drive support for various programs.
Supporters walked away with outdoor equipment, artwork, custom knives, jewelry and firearms in silent and live auctions.
In addition to other programs, the funds raised help with youth education, training, hunter education, conservation, marksman training and safety.
Many of those youth who have benefited from funds raised attend the event to help in its success. The result is funds that provide for, among other things, archery bows and targets and competition ammunition.
The evening wasn’t solely about shooting sports, though. The Morgan County Friends of NRA took time to recognize all veterans and declared Bob Pennington as the oldest veteran in the room. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from 1968-69.
