Sunday, February 10, 2008 — On February 15, 2008, sportsman from all over the Carolina Region will travel to The Fork Farm in Norwood, North Carolina for the Christopher Crews Benefit Shootout.
The event is being held to benefit Christopher Crews, a 14 year old Mt. Holly boy who has been diagnosed with a rare virus called Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome.
The virus, which Crews contracted at 16 months of age, attacks the brain, including motor skills, nervous system, and immune system.
Since contracting the virus, Crews has been hospitalized in seven different states, with the most recent being in Pontiac, Michigan.
The fundraising efforts, headed by Chris’ mother, Bridget, all benefit his treatments and the expenses accumulated as a result of the many hospitalizations.
Larry Woodell, one of the main organizers of the benefit shoot says that The Fork’s event is by far the largest of the fundraising efforts.
The event, which is expecting to host over 200 participants, has received national support from the likes of the National Rifle Association, and Mike Wallace Racing, both of which are expecting representatives to be present during the event.
Woodell was originally approached by the Crews family with the hope that the company he was with, Concrete Supply Co, could help out by sponsoring a small batch of concrete where Christopher could dribble a basketball.
Woodell took the initiative to do that and more for the Crews’ who he describes as an “incredible family with incredibly bad luck.”
Woodell approached the company for help when he realized that the fundraising efforts were more than one man could handle.
It was the avid sporting clays participants employed by the company who thought that a shooting tournament would be a successful fundraiser for Christopher.
Figuring out the logistics of the event led Larry Woodell, Joe Medlin, and Scott Hinson, two other Concrete Supply Co. employees, to The Fork Farm located in Norwood, North Carolina.
The Fork Farm, which hosts several other shooting tournaments throughout the year, has a 12-station sporting clays course, a five-stand, and a flurry – all of which will be used during the Christopher Crews Benefit Shoot.
Shawn Battison, Managing Director of The Fork Farm, is excited about the event.
“It is great that Mr. Woodell and Mr. Hinson have decided to help out Chris Crews and his family in a time of need,” he said.
“The Fork Farm is thrilled to be involved and play host to one of the largest shoots in North Carolina.”
More information on the shoot and The Fork Farm can be found at www.theforkfarm.com or by contacting the main office at (704) 474-4052 ext. 221.
Donations for Christopher Crews can be sent to Wachovia Bank.
The Account is listed as “Larry Allen Crews for Chris Crews.”
