Amador County – Proceeds from the May Top Cop Challenge were officially donated to the Wounded Warrior Project Tuesday morning in a brief ceremony at the veterans’ wall at the Legion compound in Martell.
Jackson Rancheria Tribal Chairman Bo Marks and American Legion Ambulance President Al Lennox presented a ceremonial check to the Wounded Warriors Project in memory of a local resident who was a great supporter of the program.
The check, for $17,211, was proceeds from the Top Cop Challenge, held May 19 at the Jackson Rancheria. The donation was rounded out to $20,000 with a donation by the American Legion, and will go to the Wounded Warrior Project, which provides programs and services to severely injured military service members during the time between active duty and transition to civilian life. The WWP is “structured to nurture the mind and body, and encourage economic empowerment and engagement.”
Joe Dirickx, of Gold Country Firearms said the first annual Top Cop Challenge was a success, and the Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort and American Legion Ambulance have already signed on to support the next challenge competition, tentatively set for Sept. 14, 2013.
Dirickx said the fundraiser is a singles and two-person team marksmanship contest for law enforcement personnel, and the proceeds of the first competition were donated to the Wounded Warrior Project, in the name of Mac McLean, who passed away at age 29. McLean was an avid supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project, and told his parents that if anything ever happened to him, he would want people instead of giving flowers, to donate to the Project.
Dirickx has know McLean, and his parents, Steve and Karen for years, and made this donation in Marc McLean’s memory. Steve and Karen also attended the ceremony Tuesday at the warriors’ wall park on the grounds of the American Legion Hall in Martell.
The funds came from entry fees, donations, and the awards banquet. Dirickx said $10,000 in donations came in for the raffle and prizes for the Top Cop Challenge, including some celebrities. Those included gifts from Gary Sinese, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, former President George W. Bush, Larry the Cable Guy and Jeff Foxworthy.
The Challenge was hosted by Gold Country Firearms and sponsored by Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort and American Legion Post 108. Dirickx said the idea was born from a partnership he forged with the Rancheria, when they began letting him teach firearms instructions at the Tribal Police gun range at the Rancheria.
Top Cop Challenge individual competition winner was Jose Arevalos of the Jackson Police Department. Second palce went to Brian Bila of the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department. Scott Goebel and Steve Kent of the El Dorado County Sherriff’s Department won the team competition, and Jon Kent and Bob Palk of Jackson Rancheria Tribal Security took second place.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
