2020 Fall Sporting Clays Fundraiser
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When:
Friday, October 16th, 2020
Where:
Orvis Sandanona Shooting Grounds, Millbrook. NY
Presented By:
PAL Environmental & JDP Mechanical
Benefiting:
Maimonides Children’s Hospital
Total Raised:
$160,670
Connect With Our Sporting Clays Committee Members!
- Nick Raineri* – Raineri Jewelers
- Robert Catalano* – Total Fire Protection
- Brian Baslin* – Gotham Lighting Supply
- Todd Baslin* – Gotham Lighting Supply
- Danny Fontana* – Degmor Environmental Services
- Paul Lombardozzi* – Starcruiser Transportation
- Fabio Migliaccio* – Total Fire Protection
- Craig Shapiro* – Total Fire Protection
- Antonio Biondi**– Total Fire Protection
- Michael Borrero** – Simone Development
- Nail Capri** – Benjamin Maintenance
- Lenny Knief**– East Coast Energy Group
- Todd Marcus** – Atlantic Testing Services
- Steven Palladino** – SMP Supply Corp
- Joe Rossi** – Southern Land Company
- Dykota Hillman – Orange County Ironworks
* Kids for Kids Founder & Board Member
** Kids for Kids Committee Member
Fall Fundraising at its Finest
In a perfect year, we are starting our weekend early with a beautiful day upstate at the Orvis Sandanona Shooting Grounds raising money for a great cause. With the cancellation of our Spring Clay Shoot we were limited to hosting our Fall Fundraiser as our main event of the year – and our avid clay shooting supporters were raring to go in support of Maimonides Children’s Hospital. As our only event benefiting Maimonides, we were determined to hit our target and reach our annual commitment of $150,000. Surpassing that goal by the end of the day conveyed a very special message about the generosity of all in attendance especially during this challenging year. Everyone involved in the day, including Orvis’ amazing staff, our Kids for Kids Volunteers and Sporting Clays Committee Members, and of course our guests, made this event so memorable. We could not have done it without your support.
Our Proud Sponsors
This Fall Sporting Clays Fundraiser, and the money it raised for Maimonides, would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our Presenting Sponsors PAL Environmental and JDP Mechanical. These two are long time supporters of Kids for Kids and especially love attending our Clay Shoots. Their contribution in sponsoring the event provided that backing we needed to recruit other Sponsors and sell out all 30 squads in just one month! Our Sporting Clays Committee Members were up for the challenge as well! Led by Nick Raineri, Kids for Kids Founder & Board Member, many of our event committee members stepped up to show their support with a corporate sponsorship! Throughout the day, Brian Connors and Safeguard Locksmith was recognized as our Breakfast Sponsor, Danny Fontana and Degmor Environmental Services as our Lunch Sponsor, and Antonio Biondi and his family as our BBQ Sponsor. On the course, our Clay Sponsors were displayed at all 20 shooting stations, Vinny Sabatino from Eagle One Roofing, and Brian Baslin from First Response Exterminating. Each squad was also supplied with a Cart sponsored by Sal Bullaro of Nex-Gen Ready Mix, Joe Bellina of Property Advisors, Elli Rusi of Benjamin Maintenance, and Charles Balsamo of Unity Construction Group. As the rain started to come down hindering several squads’ play, we had food on the way and beverages at the ready with John Tardy of JVN Restoration our Cocktail Sponsor. Thank you to all of the aforementioned Sponsors for making this event possible.
Clays & Program
The Orvis Sandanona Shooting Grounds, which is a beautiful, scenic venue, was a much-appreciated reprieve from the city for our attendees. The only hustle and bustle was our 30 squads racing to each shooting station before the rain picked up! There were 20 stations total, and at each station the Orvis’ Clays Instructors guided our squads through the challenge at hand. We want to especially that the staff at Orvis for their dedication to ensuring the safety of our shooters, both amateur and experienced, as this year had some added precautions and procedures.
As the rain came down, the squads came in and notes were made to look into rain gear as a future giveaway for this event! Shots could still be heard echoing through the trees as several dedicated teams toughed it out and hit all 20 stations – they knew the prizes on the line were worth it. Once all squads returned, lunch was served provided by Lola’s Cafe & Gourmet Catering from nearby Poughkeepsie, and our Program began.
The Kids for Kids Foundation supports the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Maimonides Children’s Hospital and although our partners at Maimonides were unable to join us for the event, they were able to share the following message of positivity among the daunting atmosphere of the pandemic that they experienced in the heart of Brooklyn.
“Having a baby in the NICU is challenging enough under normal circumstances – the added complications of the pandemic put young families through a truly difficult ordeal. One huge bright spot that families were immensely grateful for was the use of our Angel Eye cameras, through which they could see their babies. The cameras went a long way in raising their comfort level and alleviating some of the intense anxiety and stress of separation… One young mother who was seriously ill with COVID was rushed to Maimonides for an emergency c-section. Her tiny preemie daughter was whisked away to the safety of the NICU immediately after birth and the two would not be reunited for nearly a month as they both received the care they needed.”
This was a heartfelt reminder of what our support provides to Maimonides Children’s Hospital and the children they help in their community, pandemic or no pandemic. Learn more about this mother’s story here with coverage from ABC.
Shooter Awards
To wrap up our Program we celebrated our best squads, and individual shooters. The winners of Highest Scoring team were Doug Lyon, Frank DeGennaro, and our Presenting Sponsor from PAL Environmental. But Sal and his squad did not stop there! PAL took home the award for our Highest Scoring Men’s Shooter while Doug Lyon earned the award for Highest Overall Shooter. Most impressive was the performance of Lynn Kunz Rios of Cassone Leasing earning our prize for Highest Scoring Ladies Shooter as one of only 5 women giving this boys club a run for their money. Our Best Sportsman was Rob Heller, while not everyone is a trained marksman like Sal, Doug, and Lynn, we truly appreciate the support of first-time attendees and those simply looking to have a fun new experience with Kids for Kids. All winners received an array of prizes provided by Orvis including a certificate to return with a Shooting Squad, Gift Bag of new Shooting Gear, and Gift Certificates to shop around in their Orvis Store on site.
After our awards were announced, guests enjoyed a special BBQ from Lola’s along with cocktails, while others hit the Orvis Store for a dry outfit for the trip home. Check out the photos below to see all of our Best Shooters Winners and more in our Event Gallery!
By the end of the event, we raised $160,670 in funds for Maimonides Children’s Hospital. With the pandemic, and all of the hardships it’s causing for families right now, these funds could not have come at a more impactful and important time.
Get Involved
The best part is donations towards this event are still coming in! If you’d like to help the children and families seeking care at Maimonides Children’s Hospital, please donate here. And don’t forget to share this link with others in your network. Your donations are what empower us to support Maimonides and ensure the children there get the medical care they desperately need. Without your kindness, this would not be possible.
Looking to get in on the fun? Let us know if you’re interested in our upcoming Spring Sporting Clays event in 2021, and be sure to keep an eye out for other upcoming Kids for Kids events and fundraisers.
