The Columbus Rotary Club will hold its second annual “Shots Felt Around the World” shooting competition Saturday, Aug. 27 at Prairie Wildlife in Clay County. This fundraiser will benefit local programs supported by the Columbus club, as well The Rotary Foundation’s global efforts to eradicate polio.
“It’s called ‘Shots Felt Around the World’ because one of our Rotary International programs is polio vaccinations,” explained Club President Corky Smith. Thanks to immunization efforts by Polio Eradication Initiative partners like Rotary, polio has almost — but not quite — disappeared. The highly-infectious disease that often affects young children remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and is known to resurface in countries in conflict, where health systems are disrupted, according to UNICEF, an Initiative partner. The goal, Smith said, is to eradicate the disease worldwide within the next four years.
Proceeds from Saturday’s half-day event will also support local Rotary beneficiaries including the Frank P. Phillips YMCA program for individuals with Parkinson’s disease, and the Lowndes Young Leaders program. The year-long leadership course for high school students is conducted in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce and Mississippi University for Women.
Shooting event
As of Thursday, a few openings remained for participants to sign up for the shooting competition. In the simulated “driven shoot” contest on the weekend before dove season opens, targets will be thrown from a central tower at various heights and speeds over 10 stands, with two shooters in each stand. Shooters bring their own shotguns and shells. Check-in and orientation begins at 8 a.m.; competition begins at 9 a.m.
Spectators are welcome. In addition to the contest, highlights include a silent auction, shotgun raffle and barbecue lunch prepared by Prairie Wildlife’s chefs.
“A barbecue extraordinaire is how I would describe it,” Smith remarked. “They never disappoint when it comes to food.”
Awards will be presented to the high overall shooter and top team following lunch.
“It’s going to be a good time,” said Smith. “If you want to eat, we do have tickets for the food, plus we’re having the raffle for a really nice Beretta shotgun, and the silent auction on-site for items donated by some wonderful sponsors.” The raffle winner does not have to be present to win; silent auction winners, however, do.
A visit to Prairie Wildlife on West Point’s Old Vinton Road is worth it if only to see the conservation-driven sporting estate, said Smith and committee member Penny Bowen. Its lodge and grounds make an impressive setting for the Rotary Club’s primary fundraiser.
“Prairie Wildlife is one-of-a-kind,” Bowen said. “Rotary is very excited to be able to align ourselves with such an amazing facility.”
Take part
For information about contest registration ($125, or $500 for teams of five), or tickets for the raffle or lunch, contact Stacy Madison at 601-562-2761, Smith at 662-328-2711 or Bowen at 662-241-5055. Lunch is included in each competitor’s entry fee. Lunch tickets for spectators are $15.
The Columbus Rotary Club, founded in 1921, is one of the older Rotary clubs not only in the United States, but in the world, Smith noted.
“We’re one of the first 500 clubs,” he said. There are currently about 35,000 clubs with 1.2 million members.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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