2020 INEF Shooting for Scholarships Fundraiser
August 7, 2020 at the Indiana Gun Club, Fishers, IN
Reduced INLA Summer Meeting Still A Success!
Rick Haggard, INLA Executive Director
After cancelling the tour, I was apprehensive of the turnout for a one-day event. Maybe I need to be more apprehensive as there was obviously much pent up desire to enjoy a day of networking, camaraderie, and the opportunity to take out frustrations shooting guns at defenseless sporting clays. There were 13 teams of 5 people pre-registered, plus a few walk-up and staff for a total turnout of 73 people. By the way, approximately 35% were first time attendees.
I cannot begin to thank all those that asked and offered assistance wherever needed from the moment registration started until the very end. Julie Gillen, Vickie Newell, and Kim Glass took care of registrations, while also multi-tasking the list of donated items for auction and selling 50/50 tickets. Brian Franco and Dave LaFara, filled coolers with beverages for the continental breakfast, sponsored by Schneider Nursery and supplied by Ohana Donuts, as well as put sponsor signs at the shooting stations.
After each person took 50 shots over the 12 station course, they were treated to a catered lunch sponsored by Red Hen Turf and Spence Restoration and provided by City Barbecue with assorted adult and non-alcoholic beverages sponsored by Niemeyer’s Landscape Supply.
Overall honors:
1st Place: Greendell Landscape Solutions — score 182 out of a possible 250 — Frank Gieseking, Brooks Gieseking, Brian Kirchner, Clayton Guffy, and Mark Funderberger. Each team member received $50 first place prize and trophy, along with an extra $50 sponsored by Edward Jones Investments; netting each winning team member a $100 cash prize.
2nd Place: Team Franco — score of 176 — David Todd, Blake Herbst, Mike Broge, Brant Boram, and Chris Huck.
3rd Place: Team Start to Finish — Matthew Kelly, Jett Yeary, Kevin Thompson, Jimmy Yeary, and Matthew Deinline.
Best Individual Marksman: Mark Funderberger shooting for Greendell Landscape Solutions with a score of 47 out of 50. He won an extra $100 cash prize.
Placing second in the individual category was Doug Spence and third was Matthew Deinline.
Robert Johnstone engaged all in attendance to open up their wallets and support the future of our industry by increasing the scholarship funds through auction donations. In a little over an hour of auction time a total amount just shy of $6,000 was raised from auction items, donations, and return of the 50/50 winners’ share amount. Kevin VanSessen unable to make the event had a sealed starting/winning bid on the Beretta A400 12 gauge shotgun of $2,000 donated by Dean Ricci.
I know I have said it before and will until I am no longer involved in INLA functions, but when the chips are down the owners, employees, and other individuals that are, have been, or will become a part of this association and events, are all winners and deserve a giant hug, firm handshake, and resounding pat on the back in making our association one of the strongest green industry associations in the country!!!! Oh yeah, I guess this year I should have said virtual hug, handshake, etc.