Cancer Research Fund Raiser ("Cancer Shoot")

Cancer is something many of us have faced or will face in our lives. Sometimes its a friend, sometimes a loved-one, sometimes us ourselves. It knows no political, racial, religious or social bounds. Its a common enemy to all, and something we should try our best to stamp out - or in our case - shoot down!

With this in mind, we hosted an annual cancer fundraiser consisting of various safe shooting events as well as raffles/auctions. We make no profit for the club itself for these events; all money generated goes to cancer research. We currently donate to Memorial Sloan Kettering because a higher percentage of donations goes towards actual research rather than to salaries, advertising, overhead, etc.

Events
We hold the events on our club grounds. All events are run and overseen by certified safety officers. We usually have shooting events such as Trap and Skeet along with rifle-oriented events such as rimfire and centerfire rifle matches. We have prizes for high score in each event. We also try to have a gun raffle as well as various other items to raffle/auction.

Next Cancer Shoot Event (2024)
We are hoping to hold our fifth annual event in late summer/early fall of 2024.

Most Recent (Past) Event - Fourth Cancer Research Fundraiser (2023)

On 26 August 2023, we hosted our annual cancer fundraiser at Burlington Flats Fish & Game Club. This was our fourth such fundraiser. Our previous events were held in September 2019, September 2021 and August 2022 (there was no event in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic). All were very successful. Our August 2023 event has proven equally successful.

The 2023 event was for pancreatic cancer research in the memory of our much missed friend, the late Gary Hulbert. We had a rifle raffle (many thanks to the Hulbert family), prize auctions/raffles and of course, several of shooting events. These included shotgun (Skeet and Trap), 50 yard rimfire, 100 yard centerfire and 300 yard centerfire matches throughout the day.

Our big winners were as follows:

• Rifle Raffle: Dave Casler
• 1st Place Skeet: Chuck Guske (40/50)
• 1st Place Trap: Todd Sperbeck (50/50)
• 1st Place 50-yd Rimfire: Ron Blatt (100)
• 1st Place 100-yd Centerfire: Curt Wightman (150-15X)
• 1st Place 300-yd Centerfire: Loren McNamara (0.652" group)

We were able to raise $6,140.00 for cancer research! While this was a little less than the previous two years, it was expected (due to the continuing extreme financial hard times/high prices impacting everyone worldwide). Regardless of the amount, any monies spent towards fighting cancer are funds well spent. We are delighted to present this money to Memorial Sloan Kettering Research Center to support cancer research (with a particular emphasis on pancreatic cancer). Photos from this event can be found on our Facebook page.

Above- The 2023 event cashiers check to Memorial Sloan Kettering

We'd like to thank the following people and businesses (alphabetically listed) who donated time/money/materials for the 2023 event:

• Tom Ackerman, New Berlin, NY
• Liz & Frank Allen, New Hartford, NY
• Burlington Flats FIsh and Game Club Members and Families
• Tom Cole
• Get Fresh on the Main, Oneonta, NY
• Hannaford Foods, Oneonta, NY
• Hart Rifle Barrels, LaFayette, NY
• Home Depot, Oneonta, NY
• Lake Front Restaurant, Cooperstown, NY
• Jodi & Dick McNamara, West Winfield, NY
• John Moore, Oneonta, NY
• David & Maggie Newman, LaFayette, NY
• Nina's Pizza, Norwich, NY
• Jessi Rifanburg, New Berlin, NY
• Rachel Rifanburg, Oxford, NY
• Jim & Maryanne Stekl, Ilion, NY
• Marsha Stewart, Friendsville, PA
• Stix & Stones Firearms, West Winfield, NY
• Texas Roadhouse, Vestal, NY
• The Meeting House Band, Hartwick, NY
• Utica Cutlery, Utica, NY
• Utica Firearms, Utica, NY
• If we've accidentally omitted anyone, please let us know and we will expand the list.
  

We'd also like to thank everyone who volunteered at the event as well as all those who spread the word, purchased raffle tickets and came out to take part in the event. We could not have done this without you!