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Annual ‘Shootout’ hits target, raising $46K

KATELYN HIBBARD/Sun-Gazette One of over 30 teams competes on the three-gun Shootout’s pistol range.

WATERVILLE — As Independence Day approaches, a few hundred people banded together to blast away at targets and raise funds to benefit those who defend the country.

Rain and mud didn’t stop nearly 300 people from traversing the mountainside at the Little Harbor Club for the fourth Shootout for Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors Inc. one Saturday in late June.

More than 30 five-person teams participated in the annual, three-gun shooting competition, organized and hosted by Little Harbor, Lost 8 Hunt and Larry’s Creek Fish and Hunt clubs, and were joined by nearly 100 spectators and volunteers, said founder Daniel Roupp. The fundraiser garnered $46,538 — more than half the amount made during the past three events combined, he said.

One-hundred percent of the registration fees and other money made during the event, including from auctions, raffles and other day-of opportunities go the Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors Inc., a nonprofit out of Camp Hill that helps veterans of all conflicts statewide with medical, educational, bill payment and other needs.

Although Roupp himself never served — he said he was “two people away from going” to Vietnam because of the draft, he was inspired to contribute to Wounded Warriors by a few of his own personal heroes, including the late Robert Klinger, a World War II veteran and Purple Heart recipient.

Klinger was injured in a bomb blast and, when a couple of German soldiers happened upon him in his injured state, he coerced them into compliance by pulling the pin from a grenade and asking them, in German, to drop their weapons and take him back to his camp, where they would be treated well, Roupp said.

“That’s what I call a true hero. That’s why I got behind this outfit,” he said. “PA Wounded Warriors Inc. takes care of any veteran — no matter what year, what service — who comes from the state of Pennsylvania.”

The family-friendly event draws folks from all over the state, including Jack Reilly, 13, and his dad, Michael Reilly, of Carlisle.

The Reillys have joined the Shootout for the past three years. The previous two, they volunteered their time, helping with slinging clay discs for competitors. This year, they sponsored a team.

“This year, we stepped it up,” Michael Reilly said. “It’s such a great cause.”

Jack Reilly has been handling firearms since he learned to hunt at age 5 or 6, he said, and has grown to love going on hunting trips with his dad. He also enjoys trap and skeet shooting, he said, so the clay pigeon portion of the tournament suited him just fine.

“I really like the Wounded Warriors shoot because it gives back,” Jack Reilly said. “And I love getting outside and seeing nature.”

Jack Reilly wasn’t the only youth shooter — brothers Robert and Ian Clites, ages 15 and 12 respectively, enjoyed their first time experiencing the Shootout this year, they said.

“It’s a lot of fun, and a good learning experience for me,” Robert Clites said.

“This event’s for the young and old, men and women,” said Michael Iseley, a member of the Lost 8 Hunt Club, who has helped with the Shootout since its inception.

This year’s competition expanded thanks to the clubs taking a different approach to getting the word out, he said. Additional events such as shoot-to-win 50/50s, auctions and live music helped, as did seeking out sponsors and advertising.

“The event’s getting bigger every year,” Iseley said. “There’s still learning to do, but everyone’s here for the same exact purpose.”

The auction portion of the event especially drew some attention, with items such as jewelry crafted from crystals allegedly stolen from a chandelier in Saddam Hussein’s palace in 2003 making it to the table.

“We had people bring us things to auction that you wouldn’t believe,” Roupp said.

By the end of the day, bellies were full of barbecue chicken, pulled pork and pie, and 11 shooters went home with a trophy and a glass mug etched with the Shootout logo.

The winner of the Hunting Cabin division was Lost Eight Team B, “The Outlaws,” made up by Nathaniel Reader, Christopher Iachini, Douglas Marquardt, Timothy Wood and Jay Harris, with a total team score of 934 out of 1,500 possible points. West Team A, “The Moonshiners,” consisting of Dave Maffett, Eric Derr, Shawn Edwards and John and Zane Dutton, took the Sporting division with a total score of 901.

The Top Shooter award went to Marquardt, of The Outlaws, who had an individual score of 250 out of 300 possible points.

Although the competition is fun and the winners get prizes, Roupp said that’s not what the day is about.

“It’s about raising money for the warriors. Our warriors have our backs and it’s time we step up and have theirs,” he said. “God bless this great nation and PA Wounded Warriors Inc. for being there.”

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