OBLONG, IL—The Oblong Children’s Christian Home will soon embark on its largest fundraiser of the year. Sportsman’s Day, an outdoor event for hunters and outdoor sports buffs, will be held at Sam Parr State Park in Jasper County on Saturday, July 13. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. at the White Oak Picnic Area. Although the event is completely free of charge, donations are encouraged.
Again assisted by Outdoors Unlimited of Jasper County, the Oblong Children’s Christian Home will offer opportunity for fishing, clay pigeon shooting, muzzleloader, .22 rifle marksmanship, hatchet throwing, slingshot, turkey calling, 3-D archery, bow fishing, and a rod & reel challenge. Families are welcome to come and spend the day at Sam Parr to take in everything, not just once, but as many times as they would like. Event stations are most appropriate for children ages 7 and over.
A part of the day will include a complimentary lunch, which will be served between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The noontime meal will include your choice of brat or hot dog, chips, cookie, and a bottled water. There will be collection buckets for donations to the Oblong Children’s Christian Home ministry at both the dining pavilion and at the registration table.
A short presentation about the Children’s Home ministry will be given during the lunch break. At that same time, all of the day’s participants will anxiously await prize drawing results. Those interested may enter the drawing (again, free of charge) to win one of two .22 Cricket rifles with scope (your choice of color). You must be present to win. Prize drawings have been made possible by Silverthorne Chevrolet of Robinsons.
“The success of this event is almost indescribable,” says Amy Kemp, Executive Director-Operations for the Children’s Home. “We began with a handful of attendees eight years ago, when this event was hosted on our campus. Our change of venue in 2016 helped immensely! We know that when you give, good things come back to you. So, as much as this is a fundraiser, we see it as a gift to a community that loves to hunt and fish. Though we accept donations, the event is free, and attendees are generous. Even ahead of the day, many, many businesses have contributed to underwriting the costs of the event through sponsorships. We are humbled at just how popular Sportsman’s Day has become. If you’ve never been, come out on July 13 and simply enjoy it with your family.”
The Oblong Children’s Christian Home, with locations in Oblong and Fairfield, is a non-profit home that houses abused, troubled, and neglected children. The Home, in existence since 1969, builds healthy relationships, demonstrates God’s unconditional love, teaches God’s truth, and develops each child’s unique abilities.
