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4-H shooters donate $10,000 |
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Wednesday, 07 May 2008 |
 NICE DONATION – Several Pondera 4-H Shooters present Randy Brenteson of the Pondera Shooting Sports Club a check for $10,370 to help make a shooting sports complex outside of Conrad. The complex will serve the whole community. The 4-H is one of several groups who will utilize the building for training, meetings and competitions. From the left is Clint Judisch, Krista Judisch, Dawson Berg, Will Early, Kailey Judisch, Kaylee Taule, Rob Brenteson, R. Brenteson, and Blaine Berg. I-O Photo by Buck Traxler
They donated $10,000 – that is not a typo – to the Pondera Shooting Sports Club so a building could be built.
“We need a place to shoot,” said Clint Judisch, 8, who succinctly summarized the reason for the donation.
4-H air rifle and archery participants do not have a permanent place to shoot. Last season, they learned their art and science of shooting at Prairie View School, but had to put up and take down their targets, safety nets and tables each time because the school now houses Conrad’s fourth and fifth grades.
Other shooting clubs face the same challenge.
“The 4-H air rifle and archery kids have been ‘homeless’ for quite a while,” said PSSC board member Randy Brenteson. “The other clubs could use an improved facility, too, so we decided to build one good facility for everybody to use.”
Working Hard for Their Money
The kids earned their donation through several fundraisers. Blaine Berg, among many other dedicated 4-Hers, sold tickets for the rifle that was raffled last winter, sold fireworks at the shooting sports stand, sold hamburgers during Whoop-Up and helped with the coyote calling workshop last winter.
Kaylee Taule, 12, appreciates 4-H shooting sports because it gives her a place and time to shoot her bow. As a kid who lives in town, she does not get many other opportunities.
“And I learn the right form when I shoot my bow, too,” she said.
Kaylee’s mother, Trish Taule, supports her daughter’s dedication.
“She learns a lot about safety, responsibility, sportsmanship and respect for firearms,” Trish Taule said.
Designed to Use
Club directors hope the building will be ready for action by November. Besides 4-H shooters, many people will benefit from a safe, efficient place to learn about all aspects of shooting sports. The Pondera Valley Trap Club, Pondera Valley Small Bore Club, adult archers, hunters’ education, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and families will have an opportunity to shoot. A large meeting room will be available to host regional competitions and educational activities.
“We hope we can meet the needs of all of our area shooting clubs,” Brenteson said.
Still a Long Way to Go
PSSC board members were thrilled with the donation from 4-H and could not be more proud of the kids who worked hard to make the donation possible. They also appreciate a $100 anonymous donation and a $270 contribution made in the memory of Gary Boucher.
Yet, the PSSC still needs to raise more money, namely $50,000 for the first phase of the building.
Many local businesses and individuals already have promised to help with labor and equipment – to the tune of about $150,000. And the club has applied to the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for a significant grant.
“We’re impressed with the generosity of these 4-H kids and the other in-kind donors. Now we challenge other groups to see how they might contribute,” said PSSC treasurer Chris Berg.
How to Help
Contributors can make a tax-deductible donation through the 4-H shooting sports program. That program is a registered non-profit organization. Others can help out by contributing time, money or equipment during construction. Farmers and ranchers can donate a bushel of grain, a calf or a lamb. Or two.
To offer a contribution or to learn more, contact Chris Berg at 278-0156.
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