On April 12, 2008 we held our Annual Fundraising Banquet at the Roselawn Banquet Hall in New York Mills, New York.  It was attended by over 370 people making it our second sold out crowd in the last 2 years!  The evening was highlighted by a couple presentations.  We presented a fly fishing trip in Idaho to Tracy Breckheimer.  Tracy is afflicted with Multiple sclerosis.  Her friend Vicky Lane approached us to see if we could help make a wish of Tracy’s come true.  Tracy wanted to fly fish out West before she was unable to because of her affliction.  We were able to set up the trip for her.  She and Vicky will be spending 2 days fishing the St. Joe’s river in Idaho with ROW Fishing Adventures.  They will be staying at Red Horse Mountain Ranch and the Holiday Inn Express in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho.

The second presentation was a motor driven fishing reel for Rich Wisowaty who suffered a debilitating stroke making it nearly impossible for him to continue to fish with his good friend Frank Squadrito.  Frank approached our booth this past winter at the Northeast Sports Show and told us of Rich’s disability.  He explained that Rich was an extremely avid fisherman and now because of his stroke was unable to enjoy his favorite sport with his friends.  SHOTS, with the help of “All Season Sports” was able to purchase the motor driven reel for Rich.  He will once again be able to enjoy the sport he loves with his good friend Frank. 

There were other’s that spoke about projects and programs that SHOTS has supported over the past year.  They included Melissa Bailey of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and Mike Hageman who runs a BB gun shooting club.  Melissa spoke about the National Archery in Schools Program which we have purchased over $13,000 in archery equipment for local schools.  Mike Hageman told of the BB gun program and its efforts to promote safe gun handling and the sport of shooting.  We have supported the BB Gun Clubs program as a great opportunity for the young people of the area. 

We would like to thank all our Sponsors, banquet attendees and supporters for all they do for us so that we can provide positive opportunities for others.  We are working on our projects and programs for this year.  It is our sincere hope that everyone that supports us is proud of the projects and programs they make possible for us to provide. 

Please take a look at the pictures from this year’s banquet on our “Picture” page.  We hope to see you through the year at our booth or one of our events!

SHOTS 2008 Annual Fundraising Banquet will be held April 12, 2008 at the Roselawn Banquet Hall on 446 Main St. in New York Mills, NY.  Doors will open at 4:30 PM and Dinner will start at 6:30 PM  Our banquet usually sees about 350 attendees having a wonderful time.  There are many raffles, a live auction, a silent auction, and at least one “Special” event pertaining to one of our projects.  Please make this date available on your calendar and come join us.  You will have a wonderful time and be helping to fund the projects we do that provide opportunities for the less fortunate here locally.                                                                                                   
Sponsorships for our banquet are also available.  Donators of $200.00 or more cash or $300.00 in merchandise will be considered “Sponsors” of our local S.H.O.T.S. Chapter. A “Sponsor” receives two meal tickets. Their name on a “Sponsors” banner which will be displayed at the banquet and at any function we hold throughout the year. 

Donators of $500 cash or more are considered “Patron Sponsors”. In recognition of this donation, each “Patron Sponsor” will receive up to six meal tickets to our banquet. Their name on a “Patron Sponsors” banner which will be displayed at our banquet as well as any function we hold throughout the year.   Donators of $1000.00 cash or more are considered a “Corporate Sponsor”. In recognition of this donation the “Corporate Sponsor” will receive up to eight meal tickets to our banquet. A personalized banner which will be displayed at the banquet and any function we hold throughout the year.

Tickets for the banquet are $30 single, $45 couple, and $15 for youth 15 and younger when accompanied by an adult.  If you would like to get in on our “Early Bird” specials or be a “Table Captain” please fill out the appropriate Banquet Form and mail to the address shown.  Click Here to view the form! Should you have any questions please contact SHOTS at (315)655-9766.   We look forward to seeing you April 12!

Corey Dosztan, age 12, was the winner of a free Youth Hunt sponsored by SHOTS at the Woodsmen’s Days in Boonville, N.Y.  His name was drawn from approximately 100 entrants.
The hunt was held on September 23rd at Houp’s Acres Hunting Adventures in Castorland, N. Y. For a first time hunter, Corey did a great job when he found a good sized 9 point buck to call his own.
SHOTS would like to congratulate Corey and hope he will remember his hunt for years to come.

On September 22and 23 we attended the Gander Mountain /Onondaga County Sportsmens Federation Sports Days at Carpenters Brook Fish Hatchery in Onondaga County.   SHOTS sponsored a NYS Lifetime Sportsmens License give away to a youth 16 or younger and a “Build a Turkey Box Call” seminar given by Aaron Atkinson of Black Creek Game Calls for the same age group.   For the “Build a Turkey Box Call” seminar we purchased the box call kits from Black Creek Game Calls and then gave them to the first 50 young turkey hunters.   The participants then sat down with their parents and Aaron instructed them, step by step, on how to put them together.   When they were done they each left with a “First Edition” SHOTS turkey box call that they had built.  The winner of the NYS Sportsmen’s License was 7 year old Thomas O’Connor of Syracuse.(See “Picture” section)   This license entitles Thomas to fish and hunt small and big game in NYS  for the rest of his life.  We want to once again sincerely thank our Sponsors and banquet attendees for their support.  It is because of them that we are able to provide these opportunities.