Annual trap shoot raises more than $25K for United Way

The air was a brisk 55 degrees and winds whipped at 25-mile-per-hour, however, bullet trajectory wasn’t an issue at the recent Labor/United Way Trap Shoot fundraiser, as the winning shooters brought down 43 to 48 out of 50 clay pigeons to take home their trophies.

The annual trap shoot and barbecue, held Friday, April 8 at Gateway Gun Club in Bridgeton, drew a great crowd of sportsmen who helped raise $25,771 after expenses.

“You can’t go wrong with barbecue, shotguns and guys with a lot of hats on,” said Pat White, president of the Greater St. Louis Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

Stacey Stewart, U.S. President of United Way Worldwide, traveled to the shoot from Virginia and said she had never attended a fundraising event like the Trap Shoot, an idea sparked by Marty St.  Peters, a Machinists Grand Lodge Representative and member of the Greater Madison County Federation of Labor. The event is now in it’s eighth year.

“I never realized coming here that it would give me such a sense of community,” Stewart said. “Of 1,100 United Way offices nationwide, St. Louis is the biggest in the entire network — a model for everyone across the United States. That speaks to your commitment.”

AGAINST THE WIND

It was a windy day for a trap shoot, but that was no problem for First Place Winner Steve Jansen, apprentice instructor with Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen Local 1, who shot 48 out of 50 clay birds.

Second place went to Karl Kombrink, a member of Laborers Local 670 of O’Fallon, IL, who shot 45 out of 50.

Travis Koentz, of Laborers Local 670, took third place with 43 out of 50.

Long Shot winners were Steven Garner of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562 and Zeke Frenzel of Cement Masons Local 527

SUPPORTED BY LABOR

The annual trap shoot is supported by the St. Louis Labor Council, St. Louis Building & Construction Trades Council, Southwestern Illinois Central Labor Council, Southwestern Illinois Building & Construction Trades Council and the Greater Madison County Federation of Labor.

United Way and Organized Labor share a history of partnership dating back to World War II. Helping to build a healthier community is not only a Union tradition – it’s the mission of United Way.

St. Louis/Southern Illinois United Way Labor Liaisons are Roz Sherman-Voellinger (CWA) and Amy Phillips (UFCW); Terry Knoth (IAM) of Southwestern Illinois Central Labor Council; and Bill Jakich (LIUNA) and Gene Hudson (IUOE) of Greater Madison County Federation of Labor.