USA Events Unite the Union Community
Uniting is the action word in the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance mission: uniting the union community through conservation to preserve North America’s outdoor heritage.
The USA’s recent sporting clays shoots and conservation dinners in March were terrific examples of uniting union members and leaders of all different trades through a common interest in preserving America’s great outdoor heritage.
On March 24, the 9th Annual Ohio AFL-CIO Conservation Dinner crushed it once again with a packed house and a sense of union pride that was tangible.
According to USA Event Coordinator Eric Bakken, “I was asked what I look forward to the most about the dinner, and my answer was simple: the people! When I walked through the door, I was welcomed as if I just walked into a room full of people I’ve known my whole life. That is something special.”
Night-of fundraising was absolutely incredible, and those funds support local Work Boots on the Ground conservation projects and events—and there have been a lot of those in the Columbus, Ohio, area to date!
9th Annual Ohio State Conservation Dinner
On the heels of that spectacular evening, the 5th Annual Arizona State BCTC/UA Local 469 Sporting Clays Shoot on March 25 brought together 30 more participants than in 2022 – that’s huge! We were short one very important USA member this year—the late Gary Evenson was always a champion of the USA and a talented shooter—and while his presence was missed, the event and everyone who attended honored his legacy.
Out on the course, the only thing that topped the number of clays broken, were the smiles on the faces of our members and their families. Despite the unseasonably chilly weather, many participants brought family members, who cheered them on throughout the course.
Jacob, Bonnie and Kyle Evenson accepted an award in remembrance of Gary.
Wrapping up the month, the 3rd Annual Reading and Vicinity BCTC Conservation Dinner on March 29 was an absolute hit after a three-year hiatus. In fact, we had to close registration 45 days prior to the event because we ran out of space, and dinner chairman Bill Troutman, IBEW Local 743 business agent, assured USA staff that we will need a bigger place in 2024!
Bill Dorward of SMART Local 19 speaking and Bill Troutman of IBEW Local 743 seated in front of him.
The dinner was especially meaningful because it honored the late Ryan C. Helms, who formerly served as the event’s chairman.
With the whole room’s attention, Bill Dorward of SMART Local 19 and president of the Berks County Building Trades shared Ryan’s love for North America’s outdoor heritage and his passion for passing it on to the next generation. Ryan believed in and stood for the pillars that the USA is built upon.
The smiles, handshakes, laughter—and sometimes tears—at USA’s shoots and dinners speak for themselves. They provide fellowship, fun and fundraising for conservation!
Thank you to everyone who has attended and supported USA events. You are a key part of the USA’s mission. You are USA4Life!
Haven’t Attended a USA Event?
Check out USA’s Event Calendar regularly and find an event near you. We look forward to seeing you this year!
