Shootin’ Trap for Trips Held at Carthage Rod and Gun Club

(Editor’s Note: Check out photos from this year’s event in the Google Photos album link at the bottom of this page).

(CARTHAGE, N.Y.) – The Carthage Rod and Gun Club hosted the 14th Annual Shootin’ Trap for Trips fundraiser for the Volunteer Transportation Center Foundation on July 18. This year’s 50 Bird Shoot saw 57 participants and raised $3,700 to benefit transportation of Volunteer Transportation Center clients in Jefferson and Lewis Counties. The amount raised was significantly less than last year and attendance was down said VTC Foundation Director and Director of Communications Jeremiah S. Papineau.

“Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t on our side this year, but that’s the gamble you take on outdoor events,” said Mr. Papineau, noting rain dominated the majority of the day. “Last year, we had 117 participants and raised $5,400. It was our best year yet. So, it was disappointing to see numbers falter this year but we consider it a blip on the radar over the 14 years we’ve hosted this event with our friends at the Carthage Rod and Gun Club.”

Top Gun of this year’s 50 Bird Shoot was Ethan Clemons of the Lowville Fish & Game Club with a perfect score of (50). Other winners of the shoot were:

++CLASS/WINNER++

Junior: Mason Grandjean (46) - Sackets Harbor Sportsman’s Club

Veteran: Bob Green (47) - Sackets Harbor Sportsman’s Club

Senior Veteran: Don Bonham (48) - Sno Fun Hunting Preserve

Ladies: Stacie Ramos (44) - Glen-Greig Fish and Game Club

D: Laurel Sprague (43) - Adams Center Sportsman’s Club

C: Zach Jackson (47) - Carthage Rod & Gun Club

B: Nick Larose (48) - Sackets Harbor Sportsman’s Club

A: Duane Hoch (49) - Harrisville Rod & Gun Club

AA: Justin Bach (50) - Carthage Rod & Gun Club

Mr. Papineau credited the Carthage Rod and Gun Club with their hard work behind the scenes to get this year’s event off the ground, including club president Dennis Jackson, trap team captain Alan Arndt, and kitchen manager Valda Arndt. He further credited the support of several volunteers who worked the event, including Billie Brown, Dana Brown, Jayden Brown, Brandon Brown, Jennifer McFall, Tim McFall, Penny Covey, David Covey, Sam Purington, and Julia Purington.

This year’s Shootin’ Trap for Trips was underwritten by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Watertown Savings Bank, Stewart’s Shops, and Advanced Business Systems. Additional sponsors included Silver Level sponsors CEM Machine, Christman Fuel, Croghan Meat Market, i2i Automotive Repair, Knowlton Technologies, and St. Louis Trash Service; Bronze Level sponsors American Legion Post 162, Dibble & Gellert Family Dentistry, GEICO Insurance, Johnson Lumber, Lewis County Health System, Lowville Elks Lodge 1605, Omnia Advanced Materials, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6912, and Viking Cives USA. Additional support was provided from Dunkin’, The Roz Bed and Breakfast, and Donna Barnhart.

Raffle items were donated by Adirondack Foothills, Akin’s Sales & Services, Aubuchon Hardware, Bill’s Feed, Brick Oven Inn, Cedars Golf Course, Croghan Meat Market, Dolhof True Value, Dunkin’, Eddie’s Meat Market, Farney’s Home & Building Center, Gillee’s Auto Truck & Marine, Hall Pass Tavern, Jeb’s Restaurant, JRECK Subs, Kathy’s Barber Shop, Lisk’s Florals, Lloyd’s of Lowville, Lowville Farmers Co-Op, Lowville Producers Dairy Cooperative, Otis Technology, Pete’s Guns and Sporting Goods, Pizza Hut, Price Chopper, Roggie’s Flooring, Sherwin Williams, Shultz Family Cheese, Silver Bench Jewelry, Squishy’s BBQ and Catering, Stefano’s Pizzeria & Restaurant, Tops Friendly Markets, TYRO Automotive, Van Tassel’s Gunsmithing, Walmart Supercenter, White’s Farm Supply, Yancey’s Sugarbush, Nettie Mothersell and Sam Purington.

Those who missed the event but who would still like to make a contribution to the VTC Foundation may do so by contacting Mr. Papineau at 315-303-2590 or email jeremiah@volunteertransportation.org.

ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER TRANSPORTATION CENTER

The Volunteer Transportation Center, Inc. (VTC), established in 1991, drives thousands of miles each year assisting community members in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties and beyond. Over the last 30 years, this essential non-profit organization has provided rides to health care appointments, food sources and other critical needs destinations for residents.

In 2025, volunteer drivers provided 25,533 charitable trips over 783,845 miles in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties. Of those miles, 294,999 helped those in Jefferson County, 80,033 in Lewis County, and 408,813 in St. Lawrence County. That equated to approximately $391,923 in mileage reimbursement for our volunteers. That’s why the community’s help is so important.

The staff, boards of directors and volunteer drivers look forward to a time when transportation to community activities and services is accessible to all North Country residents regardless of economic or specialized needs. But for now the mission drives on — striving to provide transportation to health, wellness and critical needs destinations utilizing volunteers and mobility management for anyone who has barriers to transportation.

For more information about how you can help the Volunteer Transportation Center, about its upcoming events, or to become a volunteer driver, contact the agency in Jefferson and Lewis Counties at 315-788-0422 and, in St. Lawrence County, at 315-714-2034. Volunteers drive their own cars, set their own hours and receive mileage reimbursement but, more importantly, make a difference in the community. To learn more, visit www.volunteertransportationcenter.org.