The 10th annual fund-raising banquet for the Chairbound Sportsman was held May 4 at the Provo Marriott Hotel with 290 people in attendance. This was an excited group of people interested in supporting the great efforts and noble intentions of the Chairbound Sportsman Organization. This is a wonderful group of people helping individuals continue their passions for the outdoor life of hunting and fishing. This banquet is the major fund-raising event of the year to support the many hunting and fishing trips scheduled in the year ahead.
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Extreme Modus, a start-up company in Orem, displayed their new off-road push wheelchair specifically designed to get disabled children and young adults onto backcountry trails with their friends. Two electric Action Track “off-road” Chairs were also on display. There was a lot to see and interesting people to socialize with.
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One of the highlights of the evening was a large wooden flag and certificate awarded to Master Sargent, Retired, Gordon Ewell, from Eagle Mountain for his outstanding support to our community and veterans. Gordy, as he likes to be called, retired from the Army in February 2010 with over 24 years of honorable service. His medical retirement was the result of several serious injuries resulting from his job in Iraq as a “Route Clearance Expert” or bomb hunter. He is certainly one of our hometown heroes, and he remains an amazingly active supporter of the Chairbound Sportsman.
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This year’s fundraising was made possible with over 100 products and services being donated by local business and individuals. The grand prize was a top of the line Traeger Century 34 Grill and the door prize was a large Lifetime cooler. Twenty items were sold at a live auction following dinner. Thirty-eight items were sold at silent auction and 49 products were raffled off. Just over $23,000 was raised for the Chairbound Sportsman Organization. Additionally, $2,000 was raised for a Chairbound Sportsman volunteer, Jonathan Pemberton, who was recently seriously injured in a motorcycle accident. The Chairbound Sportsman Organization can use additional donations to support its good work. They are a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization, and donations are tax deductible. To donate contact Kenneth Vaughn at (801) 499-9770. Their goal is to help wheelchair-bound and disabled civilians and veterans to have free hunting, fishing, and outdoor experiences.
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