On October 23rd, the Eastern Nebraska Gun Club in Papillion, Nebraska recently held a match based on the course of fire for the CMP Games John C. Garand Match…however, there was one twist. While most clubs require some sort of entry fee to help cover range costs, the cost of targets and the cost of ammunition if it is provided, the guys at the Eastern Nebraska club did something different – they asked for toys.
For the past four years, the club has held this match and this year marked the biggest turnout. Nineteen shooters fired the match, each bringing a toy to be given to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program after the match. The club accepted boys’ and girls’ toys, but asked that each toy be new, in the box and of good quality. Additionally, four people who were not shooting in the match donated toys to the event.
After the match, the toys are taken to a local Marine Reserves unit to be distributed as part of the Marine Corps’ annual Toys for Tots effort. Toys for Tots is one of the oldest programs of its kind in the United States, having begun in 1947 due to the efforts of some retired Marines. Over the 56 years of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, Marines have distributed more than 313 million toys to 151 million children.
Efforts such as this are a shining example of the good that shooters can have upon their communities. In a time when shooting and gun owning is being scrutinized, events such as these should be a part of each shooting club’s event schedule. Our hats are off to the Eastern Nebraska Shooting Club and its members!
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If
your club or organization has an interesting story to share, please let
us know at tfs@odcmp.com. We
are interested to hear what your club is doing!
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For more information about the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, visit their website at http://www.toysfortots.org.
Information about the Eastern Nebraska Gun Club in Papillion, Nebraska can be found at http://www.engcinc.org. Check out their website if you live in the area, and you, too, can be a part of their next Toys for Tots John C. Garand Match! Or if you are in the area and looking for a CMP affiliated club to join, you can do that too!
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| Participants in the Eastern Nebraska Gun Club’s Toys for Tots John C. Garand Match pose with the toys they received to be given to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Match. Every gun club should consider similar events in their competition schedule. |
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