By Kate Bartlett
This September marks the 4th annual Shoot for the Vets Fundraiser hosted by the Ellicottville Sportsman’s Club on Saturday the 28th. The fundraiser has raised around $3,000/year towards the Buffalo and Batavia VA Hospitals Recreation Therapy Departments. The event is open to everyone with cash prizes and trophies are awarded to select categories, and a fun time is guaranteed for all.
Stan Grochowina, Army Veteran and President of the Ellicottville Sportsman’s Club, founded this event in 2021 in efforts to gather the community together for a day of trap shooting to raise funds for the VA. “It is a great opportunity for new and experienced shooters alike to gather in camaraderie and further their skills, all for a great cause,” says Stan. “Trap shooting is a great sport for everyone: men, women, teenagers, even the disabled. It’s now an Olympic sport too.” Stan is also the Trap Shooting coach for Ellicottville High School, and enjoys training high schoolers in the sport.
The event takes place at the scenic Ellicottville Sportsman’s Club, located at 5609 Route 242 from 9am-2pm. Participants can join at any point of the day with two trap ranges. The first range features 25, 16-yard singles, the second has 25, 16-yard wobbles. Scores will be tallied at both courses with a leaderboard running throughout the day. “We attract a wide variety of shooters from various regions,” says Stan. “It’s a great course.”
There will also be a 50/50 and basket raffles throughout the day. Entry fee is $20 for 50 targets, with 100% of events proceeds to benefit the VA.
The Recreational Therapy Departments at the Buffalo and Batavia VA Hospitals provide a variety of programs for both inpatient and outpatient veterans and their families. They provide a sort of respite, offering recreational programs as a break from medical concerns and/or everyday difficulties including PTSD. Programs include fishing, fly-tying, horseback riding, arts and crafts, music and more.
Stan was inspired to help the Recreational Therapy Department at the VA after a personal experience as an inpatient himself. “They run a great variety of programs that greatly help veterans and their families. People might not realize that this department does not receive any funding from the government, it’s 100% donation based.”
$400 cash prize will be awarded for the high individual score, as well as $400 1st place prize, $300 2nd place prize, and $200 3rd place prize for the ‘don’t know your partner” category. “This category adds an element of excitement and evens the playing field,” explains Stan. Top scores are put in one hat, and low scores are placed in another. One name is picked from each and prizes are awarded to first, second and third. “This allows everyone a better chance at taking home a prize, and makes things more interesting.”
Trophies will also be awarded for Vet High Gun, Vet Runner-Up, High Lady & Lady Runner-Up, High Junior, and Junior Runner-Up. A shoot off will take place in the event of a tie from the 27-yard line.
Throughout the past three years, the event has gained momentum, growing better each year. “It’s great to see the camaraderie between veterans of different branches: Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force,” says Stan. “Everyone has so much fun being around each other, and it’s all for a great cause, helping fellow veterans and their families.”
The National Guard will be on site serving up food in their mess trailer. “We love having the National Guard come out for this. For some of us, it’s reminiscent of meals when we served; some of the vets haven’t seen it in over 40 years.”
Stan is grateful this event has been so well received by the community, and hopes it continues to grow bigger and better every year. “We’re incredibly thankful for all the donations, and for the opportunity to host this great event for such a worthy cause.”
For more information contact Stan (716) 801-1744, or stop down to the event on Saturday, September 28, 9am-2pm at the Ellicottville Sportsmen’s Club, 5609 Route 242, to experience and learn the great sport of trap shooting.