Kachemak Bay Skeeters
Kachemak Skeeters hold family friendly fundraiser Saturday
By SHANNON REID
FOR THE HOMER NEWS
 Photo by Shelly Fraley The Kachemak Skeeters pose at the Kachemak Gun Club. In the back row, from left, are Coach Todd Vanliere, Sierra Morris, Dakota Morris, Coach Jeff Graham, Bryce Conich, Alex Clark, Coach Ed Murphy, Jake Nelson, Elias Graham, Zac Fraley and Andy Feterhoff; in the front, from left, are Tristan Morris, Colten Morris, Zack Nelson and Desmond Vanliere. |
The young shooters of the Kachemak Skeeters are aiming to raise funds through their first-of-the-year turkey shoot. This family event will give participants the opportunity to compete for quality prizes in the sport of trap shooting.
The Kachemak Skeeters is a nonprofit, team-based, youth development program under the national Scholastic Clay Target Program. The SCTP works to develop elementary to high school age involvement in and provide access to the shooting sports of trap, skeet and sporting clays.
The fundraiser will start at 9 a. m. Saturday at the Kachemak Gun Club in Anchor Point, at Mile 160 Sterling Highway. Organizers hope the money raised will help offset overhead costs.
Since the start of the volunteer-run organization three years ago, the Kachemak Skeeters have operated with local and national donations. Each Kachemak Skeeter is asked to pay $10 per weekly session, but the participation fee does not cover the cost of executing the program, said Shelly Fraley, a parent volunteer and treasurer for the group.
The fee for the Saturday fundraiser will be $100 for an adult and $30 for youth ages 10 to 14.
Prizes for the different winning categories include a Weatherby 12-gauge pump shotgun, a custom-fit muzzle brake, a case of shotgun shells and a $100 Kachemak Skeeter punch card. Other prizes that will be awarded throughout the event include the traditional turkey, a gun case, a skinning knife, a rifle sling, various meats and cabin art.
Fraley's son, Jake, who is an assistant coach of the Kachemak Skeeters, is expecting a comparable turnout to the similar fundraising event held two years ago — about 30 shooters.
"There are a lot better prizes than the last (fundraiser) we had," he said. "Everybody gets something."
Assistant Coach Ed Murphy said trap shooting is always a lot of fun and encourages the public to attend the fundraiser.
"Come out and support the Scholastic Clay Target Program and the local kids who are involved," said Murphy.
Several of the Kachemak Skeeters, including 15-year-old Connor Seay, will compete in the state championships in Wasilla on June 8-10. Seay also was among those from Alaska who competed in the national competition in Sparta, Ill., last year. He suffered from heat stroke in the humid 115 degree weather, but after emergency treatment on site Seay returned to the competition and finished his round of shooting.
Seay's younger sister, 11-year-old Calla, began practicing with the Kachemak Skeeters this year.
"It looked fun and my dad always wanted me to shoot," she said.
For more information about the Kachemak Skeeters Turkey Shoot Fundraiser, contact Head Coach Jeff Graham at 399-3333 or Coach Ed Murphy at 399-1130.
The Kachemak Skeeters practice every Saturday from 10 a. m. to noon at the Kachemak Gun Club and provide all the equipment necessary to participate. In alignment with national SCTP rules, membership temporarily closed May 7 in preparation for the State Championships in Wasilla and will reopen Sept. 1.
For more information on joining or supporting the Kachemak Skeeters, call Amy Fetterhoff at 235-9353.
Thank-you for your donation!!
