blog Posts

🦅 Sure Shots Serve It Up at the Izaak Walton League Fish Fry!

November 6, 2025 – Grinnell, Iowa

The Grinnell Sure Shots once again stepped up to support our community — this time at the Izaak Walton League Fish Fry hosted at the Eagles Lodge.

Our team of volunteers arrived ready to help, serve, and represent the program with pride. From greeting guests to helping in the kitchen, clearing tables, and making sure everyone had a great evening — they did it all (and maybe enjoyed a few bites along the way! 😄).

👏 Volunteer Shout-Outs

A big thank you goes out to our athletes and coaches who gave their time to make this event a success:

Athletes:
Trinity Ahrens • Alaina Holmes • Brock Van Briesen • Emmit Otto • Eli Bauman • Cameron Corey

Coaches:
Jeff Bauman • Seth Holmes

Not only did our athletes lend a helping hand, but Coaches Bauman and Holmes also rolled up their sleeves and joined in on the cooking — proving that leadership starts with example.

We’d also like to recognize our Grinnell Sure Shots athletes who participated through the Boy Scouts:
Daimen Haines • Nile Smith • Durk Sokol • Joseph Sokol
These young men did an outstanding job helping serve and support the event alongside their troop. It’s great to see our athletes making a difference in multiple organizations across the community!

📸 Picture-Perfect Moments

We had a great turnout, great food, and even better memories. Some of our favorite photos captured the athletes hard at work in the kitchen… and maybe doing just a little too much taste-testing along the way!

❤️ Community Impact

Events like this remind us that the Sure Shots are more than just a trap team — we’re a family that values teamwork, service, and community. Every volunteer effort strengthens not just our program, but the bonds we share within Grinnell.

Thank you again to everyone who helped make the evening a success — we’re proud of each and every one of you!

🦅 Grinnell Sure Shots Volunteer at Pheasants Forever Banquet

October 31, 2025 — Brownell’s Headquarters, Grinnell, Iowa

The Grinnell Sure Shots Trap Team once again showed what teamwork, professionalism, and community spirit look like in action! Our athletes and coaches volunteered at the Pheasants Forever Banquet hosted by Brownell’s on Halloween night, helping serve guests, assist with raffles, and keep the event running smoothly from start to finish.

The Pheasants Forever Board shared wonderful feedback following the event, expressing how grateful they were for the Sure Shots’ help throughout the night. It’s clear our team continues to make a strong impression not only on the range, but in the community as well.

To all of our athletes and coaches who gave up their Friday evening — and their Halloween night — to represent the Sure Shots, thank you. Your time and effort make a real difference in how our program is seen and supported across the region.

And as an added bonus, every Sure Shot who volunteered (and even a few who couldn’t attend) came away with something from the Youth Drawing — a fun reward for an evening of great work!

We are proud of the example this team continues to set both in competition and in service.
Thank you all for representing the Grinnell Sure Shots with pride, class, and community spirit.

🦆 Youth Pheasant Hunt – October 19, 2025

On Sunday, October 19th, twelve young hunters took to the field for the annual Youth Pheasant Hunt, an event filled with excitement, learning, and plenty of pheasants!

Among the group were four of our very own Grinnell Sure Shots athletes — Brock VanBriesen, Ryan Kostow, Nile Smith, and Max Starrett — who represented the team with enthusiasm and great sportsmanship.

👏 Kudos to Ryan Kostow, who kicked off the day by shooting the first bird with an outstanding shot!

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Steve and Ryan Plate for graciously allowing the group to hunt on their beautiful land, and to Cody Jensen for hosting everyone in his excellent shop. Another huge thank you to the Poweshiek County Pheasants Forever Chapter for organizing this amazing event and giving our youth a safe, fun, and memorable opportunity to experience the outdoors.

Events like this remind us that it’s not just about shooting — it’s about community, mentorship, and building a lifelong love for the sport.

🎶 Teamwork in Action: Grinnell Sure Shots Volunteer at Brownells 85 & 80 Concert

On September 27th, several of our Grinnell Sure Shots athletes and parents volunteered their time to help at the Brownells 85 & 80 Anniversary Concert — an incredible community event filled with great music, local pride, and teamwork!

Our volunteers helped with parking, cleanup, and guest support throughout the evening, proudly representing the Sure Shots program with professionalism and enthusiasm. Their efforts did not go unnoticed — the Brownells team generously donated $2,500.00 to support the Grinnell Sure Shots program.

This donation will go directly toward athlete development, practice supplies, and travel support for the upcoming season. More importantly, it highlights the strength of our community and the spirit of service that defines our team.

A huge thank you to Brownells for their generosity and continued partnership, and to all the athletes, parents, and coaches who made this night a success. Events like these show that when we work together — both on and off the range — we all win.