Shooters take aim, give back to children in our community

Release date: 1/26/2011

Despite the chilly morning temperatures, the 2011 Phil Esposito Sporting Clays Tournament turned out to be the perfect day for a friendly sporting clays competition! More than 60 shooters participated in the shotgun-style tournament at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays' top-notch shooting course. Participants enjoyed a hot breakfast provided by McDonald's and delicious BBQ lunch by Smoke BBQ & Grill.

Taking first place in the tournament was Team Granville Scott: David Calverley, John Wiles and Matt Young. The first place "individual shooter" award went to Bruce Jones. The winner of the flurry competition shoot-off was Team Shoot Straight: Eric Turman, Buddy Turman, Brian DeCosmo and Alex Awad.

The inaugural event proved to be a great success, raising more than $44,500 in sponsorships and donations to support the programs of Children's Home Society of Florida! We express our gratitude to our amazing tournament committee and recognize our tournament chair, David Calverley, for his continued support and advocacy on behalf of our children. Also, a special thank you to Tampa Bay Lightning and Hockey Hall of Famer Phil Esposito and to and Bill Arthur from Tampa Bay Sporting Clays for all their efforts. We also thank our major sponsors, The Tampa Bay Lightning, Casper's Company, Smoke BBQ & Grill, Coca-Cola, DNA Energy Drink, Bank of Tampa and Redstone Asset Management Services, LLC. Without their generosity, this event would not have been possible.

First Place: Team "Granville Scott, Inc." (L to R: David Claverley (event chair), Phil Esposito (host), John Wiles and Matt Young.

Created in 1902, Children's Home Society of Florida (CHS) is the oldest and largest statewide private not-for-profit provider of services to children and families in Florida. The Gulf Coast Division serves more than 5,600 children and families in the Tampa Bay and tri-county areas each year through a full spectrum of prevention and intervention programs. Services include foster care, adoption, child development, emergency shelters, residential group homes, independent and transitional living for teens, parent education, counseling, mentoring, treatment for developmentally disabled children, and more. CHS, which served more than 127,000 children and family members last year, is headquartered in Winter Park, Fla., and offers services in more than 100 locations by more than 1,500 staff members dedicated to providing child-focused, family-centered care.

No clients shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Clients needing accommodations for a disability and/or clients with special communications needs should contact their Children’s Home Society of Florida worker or make their request for accommodation at the time of admission into a Children’s Home Society of Florida program.

CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY OF FLORIDA, REGISTRATION #CH180, IS REGISTERED WITH THE STATE UNDER THE SOLICITATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS ACT. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.