West Texas Boys Ranch Benefit Deemed Huge Success

Today marked the 11th Annual West Texas Boys Ranch Clay Bird Shoot at the San Angelo Clay Bird Association off Highway 67. Jeremy Vincent, CEO of WTBR, said the event proceeds benefit the non-profit organization, and this year's benefit proved to be a great success as it has in years past.

Vincent added, "We started getting the word out several months before the event to the regular shooters, and then also advertised on tv, radio and social media starting around January." Participants had to submit applications and an entry fee prior to the event, which afforded them a variety of perks from food, raffle tickets and partaking in a live auction.  

"Sponsorship packages were available to where companies and businesses could sponsor the event, as well as have shooters on their teams as well," stated Vincent. He said he was very pleased about today's turnout of around 215 to 220 shooters.

  
Vincent explained, "Participants were divided into teams, and following a route, went to ten different stations, each with their own cage."  

When it was time, the shooters stepped into their cage, and two clays were sent out at a time. Each shooter had 10 tries, and an official scorekeeper kept track of how many they shot. The first rotation of teams started at 8 a.m. and lasted 1.5 to 2 hours. Lunch was served at noon, and then the second set of shooters went out. A "live auction" followed, which allowed officiates to tally scores and award trophies according to placement. Shooters received prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places on the "green" and "red" courses.  

Ruben Rodriguez, with "Cooking for Christ," said he and his team prepared breakfast and lunch for all of the participants and volunteers. He has been cooking for 30 years on and off, and is well known and respected within the community for his many services at charity events. He said he is "looking forward to his next event to benefit the 'Wounded Warrior Project' next week," and "will also be cooking at a fundraiser at Blaine's Pub on May 1st." 

For anyone who is interested in participating in the next event, Vincent said, "If an individual isn't already on a team, we'd set them on one."

Overall, people traveled from as far as the Midland, Odessa and Lubbock areas to participate, and the WTBR family were thankful for all who came out to support their cause. As far as rules and regulations, Vincent added, "Most of the people who come to the event are seasoned shooters who know the gun safety rules: protect their ears and eyes, as well as have respect for other shooters." Additionally, there is no alcohol allowed on the course and all shooters are required to use specific sizes of rounds. "Clay Bird Shooting" is a professionally recognized sport, but today's event was considered an "amateur shoot," so it doesn't count towards "pro shoot" (points) for the participants.

At one of the stations, Darcell Stewart, admissions coordinator for the WTBR, looked on while a young boy took his spot in "the cage." Though he was small in stature, he handled the weapon with professionalism and grace while experts stood alongside and behind to reassure him and provide guidance. She said, "That's my son." Although he was only 12 years old, Stewart said "he has been learning about gun safety from his father for awhile now." The former Adult Probation Officer said she has been working for the WTBR for a few months now and "just loves it."  

"Pull, click, and boom" echoed down the fairway as many teams walked, rode ATVs or cruised along in their golf carts from one station to the next. Men, women and teenagers of all ages joyously partook of the offerings, and the consensus was it was a beautiful day to get out and be with family and friends while doing something they loved for a great cause.

Vincent added, "The funds we raise today go directly to our "boy care program." Funds will be used for buying clothes, food, school supplies and various other things that the boys may need. The WTBR is licensed to take boys from 6 to 17 years of age, and they ask, when a boy comes to WTBR, that he makes a commitment to stay for at least a year. 

"Oftentimes, they'll stay much longer than that," stated Vincent.

A lot of times, these boys come from poor family environments, and, when they arrive, there is a lot of structure and routine with emphasis on education, building a relationship with Christ and learning responsibility with a good work ethic. Today, a lot of the boys volunteered by keeping scores and sending the birds out, which allowed them to socialize while building self esteem.

"Goodfellow Air Force Base is great about sending out volunteers for the event," noted Vincent as well. He anticipated there were at least 80 to 100 volunteers helping out.

"It's good morale where a lot of good people come out to support our boys from WTBR," Vincent said. "It's a community effort to keep WTBR going, so whether it's individuals sending in donations, or if they come out to join in our events, it just takes so many people and their support to make WTBR happen."

Currently, WTBR is celebrating its 70th anniversary of establishment in San Angelo, and Vincent said, "It's been amazing to see the many generations come out and support us at all our events."

Once boys graduate the program, there have been countless who choose to come back and help out immediately, while some will wait until their 30s or 40s. Regardless, they are thankful for what they experienced in their youth, including building a strong foundation of success and paying it forward. 

"Most recently, we had a boy graduate about four years ago, went on to graduate from ASU, and now he comes back to help tutor our boys in the evenings," said Vincent.

West Texas Boys Ranch is a Christian-based home community that welcomes boys in need of a safe environment to grow and learn. The facility serves as a trusted friend to parents who desperately need help in raising their sons, and as a valuable resource in building better communities. As stated on the WTBR website, the mission is one of "Raising Boys - Building Men" and teaching young boys that being "successful" in life begins at home.

For more information, check out WTBR's Facebook page, "West Texas Boys Ranch," or its website at http://www.wtbr.org.