TOPEKA -- Kansas Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh and Big Brothers/Big Sisters (BBBS) of Topeka are asking everyone from professionals to occasional shooters to visit Ravenwood Lodge, 10147 SW 61st Street in Topeka, on Saturday, August 20, for the annual Pulling for Kids clay sporting event.

"Proceeds from the event will benefit the BBBS School-Based Mentoring program," said Thornburgh. "This program is designed to help youth become successful, caring, and competent adults and have a lot of fun in the process."
Activities will kick-off at 8 a.m. on Aug. 20 with children's activities -- including archery, a laser hunting game, a BB gun shoot with a chance to win a Red Ryder BB gun, and a hunting dog demonstration. In addition, the Topeka Police Department's DARE car and a fire engine from the Topeka Fire Department will be on display. Prizes and giveaways are also scheduled.

A competition this year is the "Executive Challenge" on Friday Aug. 19. This is a special shoot in which businesses and organizations compete. A traveling trophy will be awarded to the top team, and all participants will enjoy a steak dinner following the shoot. Interested parties are encouraged to phone Shawn Tipping at 785-267-8755 or email him at stipping@cbtks.com.
All proceeds of the Pulling for Kids sporting clay shoot will used to recruit, screen, and match volunteer mentors with area youth for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Topeka. BBBS encourages safe and responsible gun handling, as recommended by the National Rifle Association. Those rules are as follow:

• always keep the gun's muzzle pointed in a safe direction;
• always keep your finger off the trigger and the safety on until ready to shoot; and
• always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.

For more information on this event, write Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Topeka, Inc. 1119 SW Tenth Street, Suite #3 Topeka, Kansas 66604, phone 785.234.5524, or email bbbsexcdir@yahoo.com.
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