Upland Bird Extravaganza raises more than $188K for local youth

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For his dedicated service to the Upland Bird Extravaganza, the Evening Lions Club awarded member Will Haggard with a gun donated by Star Arms. || BRAD KEITH/TheFlashToday.com

By BRAD KEITH

TheFlashToday.com NEWS & SPORTS – FREE & LOCAL

STEPHENVILLE (April 20, 2015) — The Evening Lions Club has done it again.

For 20 consecutive years, the bar has been raised at the Upland Bird Extravaganza, and 2015 is no exception.

More than $188,000 was raised through the shooting competition on April 11 at xxxx and the wild game dinner and auction on April 18 at the City Hall banquet facility at City Limits. That’s more than $20,000 more than the 2014 event, the first to top $165,000.

City hall was packed with patrons, sponsors and members for the 20th annual Upland Bird Extravaganza Friday evening. || BRAD KEITH/TheFlashToday.com
City hall was packed with patrons, sponsors and members for the 20th annual Upland Bird Extravaganza Friday evening. || BRAD KEITH/TheFlashToday.com

“The event went off great and we had a lot of compliments about the food,” said event chairman Ricky Thurman. “As Upland Bird chairman this year, I would like to personally think the 50 club members for all their hard work. It’s pretty amazing that we can throw an event of this magnitude with only 50 members. It’s a testament to the dedication and hard work put in by each member.”

Jay R. Smith and crew grilled and cooked up everything from rabbit to raccoon and dove to duck for the event, throwing in some Whitetail, wild hog and much more along the way. Patrons enjoyed the wild game dinner while making bids in the silent auction, then participated in a live auction fueled by auctioneer J. Bryan Davis.


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“Thanks to all of our sponsors, shooters, people who bought raffle tickets, business that donated auction items and, of course, to V.W. and Cynthia Stephens for providing a greta venue,” Thurman said. “We especially thank all our sponsors. Without them this event would not be possible. They make the whole thing run.”

Funds from the event will serve local youth organizations such as scouts, camps and the Stephenville Education Foundation. Evening Lions Club also contributes to SPARD youth activities, Dublin Goodfellows and much more.

Thurman is already encouraging everyone to watch for details of next year’s event.

“I’m sure about January we’ll be getting details out to everyone and start working hard to make next year’s event even bigger and better,” said Thurman. “We’ll have to find a way to reach an even bigger goal.”


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