Organizers with the Guns N Hoses Benevolent Fund are seeking sponsors for their upcoming Clay Shoot fundraiser.

The aptly named group — Guns N Hoses — consists of members of Port Arthur’s police and fire departments and whose purpose it is to raise and accept funds for the specific purpose of assisting its members that may have out of pocket medical or other related expenses due to a medical emergency or medical condition,  and those eligible for benefits in the event of the death of a member.

The annual Guns N Hoses Fundraiser will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at the 1-in-100 Gun Club, 1228 FM 421, Lumberton.

Kenneth Belaire, a Port Arthur firefighter, said this is the second year for the clay shoot.

“It was very successful last year,” Belaire said. “Everybody had a good time so we will try it again this year.”

The cost to enter the event is $500 per team and a team consists of five shooters. The event will consist of approximately 12 stations, 100-bird shoot. Food, drink and prizes will be provided to registered teams and all proceeds will go to the Port Arthur Guns N Hoses Benevolent Fund benefiting the city’s fire fighters and law enforcement.

There are several levels of sponsorship available; platinum sponsor, $5,000; gold sponsor, $2,500; and silver sponsor, $1,250.

Port Arthur Police Officer Wendy Billot said station sponsorships are also available for $100 and some supporters are sponsoring and donating teams for $500 which allows firefighters or police offices to shoot.

Items are also being collected for a silent auction that will be held during the event, she added saying that there are already some pretty unique items on the auction list but more are needed.

Guns N’ Hoses began in 2008 to assist police and firefighters who lost their homes and possessions to Hurricane Ike in 2008. Proceeds from the 2009 event were donated to local breast cancer centers.

The event evolved a bit by 2010 in which proceeds went into a benevolent fund to assist the officers and firefighters in time of need such as during a medical emergency, an illness or even the illness of a family member which may put a strain on the person financially.

Guns N Hoses Benevolent Fund is non-profit organization.

For more information call Belaire at 460-0540 or Billot at 543-6690.

Donations may be mailed to Port Arthur Guns-N-Hoses Benevolent Fund, P.O. Box 881, Port Arthur, TX., 77641-0881.

mmeaux@panews.com