Shooting Down Kids Cancer

The Shoot Down Kids Cancer fundraiser once again drew an enthusiastic group of participants to enjoy some friendly competition while supporting the effort to eradicate the horrific disease.

Held recently at Gulf Coast Clays in Port of the Islands, the charitable event supports the American Cancer Society’s pediatric cancer research. Each year is marked by a raffle, games, silent and live auctions, door prizes, and of course, teams from Marco businesses, groups and institutions, and residents enjoying a spirited competition as marksmen target “sporting clays” with shotguns.

Sporting clays are circular disks and the sport is designed to simulate hunting, with participants moving between stations arranged in a course. At each of Gulf Coast Clays’ 15 stations, the clay targets are mechanically hurled into the air at heights that simulate the movement of rabbits, birds, deer, and other commonly hunted animals. 

At this year’s 16th installment of the annual event, 72 shooters and about 25 volunteers participated. 

The amount of money raised had not been tabulated by press time. However, last year, the effort contributed $45,000 to the American Cancer Society for pediatric cancer research and $45,000 to Golisano Children’s Health Center on Pine Ridge Road for pediatric patient support. “We expect this year’s results to exceed that total,” said Don Henderson, who cofounded the fundraiser with the late Gary Landis. “Since its inception in 2006, the Shoot Down Kids Cancer Foundation has contributed about $1 million to pediatric cancer causes.”

Henderson described pediatric cancer as being “the most tragic of all cancers as the mortality rate is twenty percent.

“We believe that we are making a difference and are dedicated to growing our contribution to this fight,” he added. “We hope that more Southwest Floridians will join us as participants, sponsors, and donors.”

The list of event sponsors included Germain BMW of Naples, Tom Kolassa, Rene and Tish Champagne, Jim Bertelsmeyer, Scot Kaufman, Roger Wittenbach, Suncoast Beverage, William Brockett, Thomas Fitzgerald, Ameriprise Financial, and Rose Marina.