Williams Sporting Clay Event Raises Funds for United Way | Local/Regional
Employees from the Williams Susquehanna River Supply Hub and beyond recently came to Rock Mountain Sporting Clays near Springville to participate in a friendly competition called “Clays for a Cause” which made significant contributions to the United Way of Bradford County. Thirty-six teams completed a course of 25 shooting stations on the morning of May 12 before gathering for a catered lunch, winning prizes at a grand raffle table and applauding those who took home the top shooting prizes.
“We’re still in the process of figuring out the total and waiting, but the skeet shooting was a huge success and all proceeds will be donated to the United Way of Bradford County,” said Williams’ Tammy Bonnice. Williams employees at the event also included managers and employees from other natural gas companies who sponsored teams, meals and the event itself. This year marked the return to pitch competition after two years of fans enjoying a game of golf together. The majority of this year’s attendees were from Bradford and Tioga counties, including those from Williams’ Wysox office and their many industry partners. But others came from Wyoming and Susquehanna counties and even Williamsport and Michigan.
Key sponsors this year included Encompass Pipeline, Flynn Energy, Cleveland Brothers, Hague Equipment, Cameron Valves, CEC, Champion X, Enerflex, Evergreen Oil Solutions, M&J Valve, Stafursky Paving, US Inspections, Howard Energy, Balon Corporation, Phoenix Specialties and rain for rent. Phoenix also sponsored a pre-event meeting at the Shadowbrook Resort in Tunkhannock on May 11th.
“What they’re doing for United Way and the amount of money they’re raising locally is incredible,” said Shawn Sullivan, a Flynn Energy representative. He also enjoys the networking opportunities the fundraisers provide and the mutual support from Williams at Flynn’s annual golf tournament in June
Participants ranged in skill and expertise from beginners to the likes of Brooklyn-based Eric Ord and Rick Ord, who describe themselves as regulars at Rock Mountain Sporting Clays. “We like to shoot,” said Eric Ord.
“It’s a beautiful place with great staff and the course is challenging.”
East Smithfield’s Rommy Talladay, who works in William’s Wysox office, was one of many participants happy to be back on a shooting range. The other members of his team of three were Jim Maroz, a Hatfield employee, and Josh Draves, who works for SAMCO Technologies. They had previously filmed for United Way when the event was held on Thunder Mountain Sporting Clays in Tioga County.
It was all new for LeRoy’s Trevor Williams, a shooter for Flynn Energy. Although an avid deer and small game hunter, he had never been on the ground or shot skeet. “It sounded like fun, and I’m having a great time so far,” he announced as he progressed through the course.
“I just love getting out in the fresh air and raising money for United Way,” noted Diane Lantz. Lantz, a Williams employee at the Wysox office, was joined on the course by Rusty Russell and Dale and Ashlee Gow from the Tunkhannock office.
As the echoes of gunfire in the canyon subsided, the riflemen reassembled in the main pavilion for lunch, which was prepared and provided by Damon employees Cody Conner and Brandon Rajecki. Jack Walsh, Williams Regional Vice President and United Way of Wyoming County Board Member, thanked those in attendance for their support of the event. “The money that goes to United Way is making a huge difference in our communities,” he said.
Williams’ de facto DJ and host Nick Lee, with the help of Williams’ Alisha Polzella, handled the ongoing announcements and raffle prize distribution. Lee also congratulated the winners of the competition. Megan Karhnak of Springville took first place as the shooter of the day with 51 points. Tracey Gregory of Dalton and Jeff Cassell of Troy finished first among male shooters with 94 points each. In a crucial playoff between the two, Gregory emerged as the winner of two cases of ammunition and a plaque.
Phoenix Specialties won the award for the highest scoring team with 325 points, with Liberty’s Bernie Williams, Rome’s Ryan Calkins, Troy’s Jeff Castle and Williamsport’s Ryan Ings each winning two cases of shotgun shells and sharing a plaque.
“This isn’t the only time Williams has supported the United Way this year,” Bonnice said. “We sponsor their annual tournament at Towanda Golf Club and sponsor many United Way agencies in the area at our September BBQ fundraiser.” Many Williams employees make ongoing contributions to the agency through payroll deductions.
“Williams is a great organization and its employees are incredibly committed to their community,” said Joan Smith-Reese, executive director of the United Way of Bradford County. “Your donations allow us to financially support 49 agencies that we fund. We cannot thank Williams enough for her contributions.”
Williams’ barbecue fundraiser for local United Way agencies will be held at Lazy Brook Park in Tunkhannock on Friday September 15th.