THE RIVER DEEP FOUNDATION Sporting Clays Fundraiser

In the first movie titled with his name, Shrek declared “Ogres have layers.” He should know. Shrek’s comment led to my insight that the River Deep Foundation sporting clays shoot also had layers. On the surface, the fundraiser may rightly be viewed as an energizing collegial opportunity to shoot with kindred spirits. A deeper layer illustrates the opportunity for clay target enthusiasts to advance the noble and far-reaching missions of the River Deep Foundation. The deepest layer enables the participant to enrich her or his soul by helping enrich the lives of others.

The Event

Fifty-five shooters showed up at Kiowa Creek Sporting Clays, arguably Colorado’s premier venue, to participate in the annual

BREAKING CLAYS FOR A VIRTUOUS CAUSE SAYS MICHAEL G. SABBETH

River Deep Foundation fundraising event on a gorgeous sun-drenched summer morning. Marshmallow clouds dotted the slate-blue sky and mild winds whistled through the greenery. Many young lady shooters participated, indicating a fortuitous affirmation for the future of our valued sport.

Susan Williamson, Treasurer/ Secretary of the Foundation, scrupulously handled the tedious administrative work of checking in shooters and taking their payments. Susan is the wife of Chuck Williamson, a veteran and Foundation board member, whose role in the Foundation will be divulged later.

The shooting began precisely at nine o’clock in the morning. Mark Moore, co-owner of Kiowa Creek, set the targets on the ten stations of our course to ensure target-smashing success and fun. This was not one of Mark’s competition course settings that have often caused me anguish during an event and nightmares that evening.

My squad mates were Chuck Williamson, Christopher Dundos, a Foundation board member, and Shawn Fleckenstein. Shawn, a clay target aficionado, new to the sport and delightful in every regard, should have received an award for the event’s best sense of humor. He works with Craig Hospital and its Operation TBI, discussed later. Mark Moore zipped around on his ATV like a water bug on a pond, overseeing the functioning of the traps, checking safety compliance, and offering encouraging words, such as “Did you hit any targets?” Once I yelled in reply, “I was very close on one target!”

The River Deep Foundation

His voice energized during our interview; Russell MacLennan told me the history of the foundation. I have known Russell and his exquisite family for more than twenty years. I have hunted on two of his family’s properties, The Bluffs and Valhalla. Now, Vice President of the Foundation, Russell is the kind of guy that gets things done.

About twenty years ago, he and Bob Adwar, now Executive Director of the foundation, had been volunteering with the Safari Club International Humanitarian Outreach Program, acronym, SCIHOP. Inspired by their mission, Bob and Russell wanted to create a broader and more encompassing organization. Thus, was structured the River Deep organization. Its mission was to be an overarching entity that would unify and direct distinct organizations under its authority.

The River Deep Alliance was formed. The alliance is an aggregate of six non-profit programs: Anglers of Honor, Craig Hospital, Operation TBI Freedom (Traumatic Brain Injury), program of Craig Hospital, SCIHOP (Safari Club International Humanitarian Outreach Program), Task Force: ISO and Victory Service Dogs.

The character of a person is illustrated by how she or he spends time. I asked Russell what inspired him to devote so much time, energy and personal resources to the alliance and the foundation. Without hesitation, Russell replied: “I feel it’s my duty to serve those who made it their duty to protect us.” Russell’s family and its properties, Valhalla and the Bluffs, host eight to ten events a year for the alliance. As our conversation ended, Russell added: “It’s a somber experience when you see someone put a smile on his face for the first time.”

The River Deep Alliance operates under the umbrella of the River Deep Foundation. The alliance was born out of existing relationships among like-minded leaders who saw the need for their organizations to combine strengths to focus more efficiently on clients in need. Each organization under the alliance umbrella offers unique standalone, but complimentary programs, which all serve to focus on healing and support from physical, psychological or emotional injuries and trauma sustained during military and/or civilian life.

Examples included severe physical injuries, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and Spinal Cord Injuries. This is accomplished through activities and services that enable the individual to implement what are referred to as the 3 REs: re-acclimate, re-enable and re-engage in life for the goal of improving their outlook and quality of life. A positive outlook is crucial in the healing process and these activities and services have proven effective for achieving such improvements.

Several programs focus on outdoor group activities like fly fishing or hunting, while others focus on learning a new skill, like photography. Additional programs concentrate on specific needs for daily life, such as providing service dogs or ongoing support services. Integral components of the alliance and foundation are the philosophy and the practical application of engaging the participation and support of family and or caretakers.

An overarching function of the alliance is to fund, plan and implement collaborative outings. Engaging in outdoor activities transcends having fun and camaraderie. The activities serve fundamental therapeutic purposes.

Leadership and Service

Bob Adwar, executive director, explained that River Deep Alliance is a collaboration of stand-alone 501c3 non-profit organizations that share resources, knowledge, and ideas with the goal of providing more efficient and effective programming and outreach. Whether an individual became disabled in the course of military service or civilian life, they are all equally in need of healing. Some of our programs serve both groups, while most focus exclusively on the needs of military personnel— veteran or active duty.

Details of personal stories illuminate the big picture. Mark Garcia, a combat veteran, shared with me his experience with Operation TBI Freedom. The program is affiliated with Craig Hospital, the world-renowned premier center for specialty rehabilitation and research for people with spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury. I recoiled when Mark informed me of statistics of veterans’ suicides.

Mark described how the alliance enables him to “give back” and support the veterans to work with these heroes to go on and go great things.”

Chuck Williamson, who was on my shooting squad, educated me on the unrelenting search by ex-military people for a purpose after military service, particularly if the veteran had suffered trauma. “These River Deep Foundation programs save lives,” Chuck said, “by giving people who are hurt meaning and a sense of belonging.”

Chuck’s wife, Susan, who helped with the check-in at the event, shared with me her soulchurning experience with Chuck that demonstrated conclusively the merits and effectiveness of these RDF programs. “Chuck returned from a Deep River Alliance fishing trip in Alaska, hugged me, and said “Life really is worth living.” “That,” said Susan, her eyes a little moist, “is what this River Deep Alliance shoot is all about.” Many folks say River Deep has saved their lives, saved their marriages, and saved their children.

The alliance seeks excellence in all its endeavors. The alliance works with prestigious institutions and the top engineering schools in the country, such as the School of Mines in Golden, Colorado, to develop, for example, adaptive equipment for disabled or injured veterans. The alliance offers about 70 outings a year, including events as diverse in subjects as hunting, fishing, shooting, archery, blacksmithing, and photography. The blaring motivational phrase is “Get them outside!”

Lunch and After

After the shoot, a catered lunch was served in the spacious pavilion on Kiowa Creek’s landscaped grounds. The pavilion is a popular venue for weddings and other social events. The selection of excellent sandwiches included savory brisket, pulled pork or chicken, and each selection was graced by a tangy potato salad and a huge chocolate chip cookie.

Literature about the alliance was placed on each table and drawings were held for an array of auctioned items. Several firearms, pieces of shooting apparel, and pounds of elk meat were donated by generous contributors. On two drawings I came within one number on my tickets of winning a cooler of elk meat and or a rifle, but came up short, continuing my decades-long streak of never winning anything.

Dan Callahan, Russell MacLennan, Mick Cheshire, and Randy Alridge comprised the Top Team which aggregated an enviable combined score of 371.

Dan’s 96 made him the event’s top gun. The River Deep Foundation expresses its profound thanks to its generous sponsors, the Bonanno Family and the Taylor Family.

In conclusion, the true pair tower shots on station 8 were high, but our spirits were higher. On this gorgeous day, dozens of shooters,