Clay for Heroes to benefit wounded veterans

It’s in the news, it’s on TV and on everyone’s mind. Wounded soldiers who have served the country who now need help themselves. While everyone wants to help, finding a way to do that isn’t easy — except for a group of local sports enthusiasts.

Ashley Butcher, an 18-year-old from Lockport, is one of them.

When she watched the commercials about wounded veterans, she was touched and wanted to do something. She investigated a group that she had heard about, The Wounded Warriors Project, and liked what she saw.

“They seemed like a good organization and I decided that I wanted to help them raise money too,” said Butcher, who is a member of the North Forest Rod and Gun Club youth team. “We also have some members in our club who are veterans and they thought it was a good organization, too.”

Butcher and two other members of the North Forest Rod and Gun Club, Doug

Thompson and Kevin Gaskill, decided to host a fund-raiser to benefit the

Wounded Warriors Project. And since they love their hobby, the group thought Clays for Heroes would be the perfect way to do it.

The first annual Clays for Heroes will take place Aug. 12 at the

North Forest Rod and Gun Club, 6257 Old Niagara Road in Lockport.

Registration is $50 and the shooting venue features a 100 Bird Shoot, 50

Sporting Clays, 25 Skeet and 25 Trap and includes a chicken BBQ lunch.

In addition, there will be a Long Bird Competition, a variety of raffles and other games of chance to raise additional money for the Wounded Warrior Project.

“If people want to help and don’t know how, they can also become a Clays For Heroes sponsor,” said Butcher. “They don’t need to be able to shoot to still be on target with a sponsorship donation. We would like to make a sizable gift to the Wounded Warrior Project from our fund-raising event to show that people in Western New York really care about veterans.”

There are only 125 spots for shooters at Clays for Heroes and pre-registration is required. To become a sponsor, pre-register or get more information call Butcher at 698-5892.