Benefit dinner Saturday for Jr. Shooters

Whitehall Elks 1491 will host a spaghetti dinner on from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, at the lodge on North Williams Street.

The meal will benefit the Whitehall Junior Shooting Program. Dinners are $8 and take outs will be available.

The Elks and the American Legion will split the expenses for this benefit. The Junior Shooting Program is run by the Champion Whitehall Rifle Club and runs a course on Saturdays during February and March to teach youth gun safety and competitive marksmanship.

There were over 30 youths registered for the program this year, with three making it all the way to where they were able to compete in Tri-County Rifle League matches against some of the best shooters in the area.

The Whitehall Rifle Team has absorbed the high cost of insurance and ammunition but the success of the junior shooters has shown the need for updated equipment. Much of the equipment now being used is 40 to 50 years old and consists of hand-me-downs from senior shooters. Smaller sizes are also needed.