New England Patriot Matt Light Takes Aim to Keep Kids on Target
Just received this press release moments ago from the Patriots media relations department for anyone interested:
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Light Foundation Announces Date for its 5th Annual Celebrity Shoot-Out;
Rhode Island Firm Signs on Again as Event's Lead Sponsor
The Light Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 2001 by New England Patriot Matt Light, announced today the date for its signature fundraising event. The 2009 Matt Light Celebrity Shoot-Out will be held on Tuesday, September 29th, at Addieville East Farm in Mapleville, Rhode Island.
The Shoot-Out, now in its fifth year, offers participants the opportunity to match their shooting skills against Light, his teammates, and a host of local and national celebrities including comedian Lenny Clarke and Olympic skier Bode Miller. And you don’t have to be a crack shot to have a great time. Instructors at the Rhode Island course will teach rookies the basics of sporting clay shooting and provide all the necessary equipment. Proceeds from this one-of-kind event benefit the Light Foundation, a youth-based organization that strives to instill honesty, accountability and responsibility in young people through unique outdoor learning experiences that include a character development football camp, a financial literacy program offered at area schools, and academic scholarships. In the eight years since the organization was founded, it has raised over $1.2 million to support these important programs.
Light says he wanted to develop a unique high-profile charity event that would raise funds and exposure for his Foundation, and his love of the outdoors naturally came into play. “We’re very excited going into our 5th year. The Shoot-Out has grown each season, and people really look forward to getting out on the course and having fun. There’s nothing like it out there,” he adds. “We’re lucky to have fantastic sponsors on board to help make the event special for the guests, and at the end of the day, we’ve done something even more special for these kids.”
Lighthouse Computer Services of Lincoln, Rhode Island, will serve as the Platinum sponsor for the 5th year in a row. The firm’s CEO, Tom Mrva says this is one date he has booked months ahead. “We absolutely love this event because it’s unique, our clients enjoy it, our employees enjoy it, and we raise a lot of money for a worthy cause,” he adds. “I’ve seen firsthand the difference it makes for a lot of these kids who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to grow and thrive.”
Shooters in foursomes from all over New England, and as far away as Colorado will converge at Addieville to mingle with celebrities, enjoy lunch from the popular Qdoba Mexican Grill, and dinner by renowned steakhouse The Capital Grille. Spirits will be provided by Harpoon and Three Olives, hand-rolled cigars from New England Cigar Factory, lakeside fly fishing and shooting demonstrations by some of the sport’s top names. Singer/songwriter Ryan Montbleau will kick off the after-party with live music, and Light will get a hand from Clarke, and WAAF morning radio personality, Greg “the Hill-man” Hill, for a live auction that has to be experienced. “Lenny runs an auction like no one else,” says Light. “He’ll sell just about anything for the Foundation, and he takes no prisoners!”
Last year’s Celebrity Shoot-Out brought many of Light's friends and teammates together to support the cause. Dan Connolly, Stephen Gostkowski, Chris Hanson, Ellis Hobbs, Russ Hochstein, Larry Izzo, Nick Kaczur, Dan Koppen, Logan Mankins, Lonnie Paxton, Stephen Spach, Mike Vrabel and Wes Welker all took part in the festivities, in addition to Patriots alumni Peter Brock and Pro Football Hall-of -Famer Andre Tippett. This year, Light expects the star-studded guest list to be just as long.
So is this a guys-only event? No way, says Light. “Many women are amazing shooters, and in fact, last year, the top shooter was Patti Mastroianni.” Many of the 200-plus shooters who register for this event have never held a shotgun beforehand arrive early at Addieville for safety lessons and some training time.
Addieville East Farm, founded in 1980, is located on 400 private acres in Mapleville, Rhode Island, and offers clay shooting, archery, dog training, and fishing. It’s also New England’s premiere pheasant hunting preserve. Each year, manager Jack O’Brien designs two 15-station courses with challenging, high-flying clay targets specifically for this event
Since the first tournament in 2004, the Matt Light Celebrity Shoot-Out has raised over $300,000 for The Light Foundation’s efforts on behalf of youth, and Light expects that number will continue to grow. “Our goal is to be a beacon for charitable organizations, athletes and youth,” he adds, “to work hard, put their best foot forward, and strive to become champions in the game of life.”
For Information on The Light Foundation, contact Foundation Director John Keuffer at 781-635-4448, or visit: www.mattlightfoundation.org. For more information about the Matt Light Celebrity Shoot-Out, contact The Goodwin Group, at 781-784-5381.
About the Light Foundation:
The Light Foundation was established in 2001 by 3-Time Super Bowl Champion and 1st year Pro-Bowler Matt Light. Matt was drafted in 2000 out of Purdue University and has become the anchor for the Patriots Offensive Line. The Light Foundation strives to instill and augment the values of responsibility, accountability and hard work by providing youth with unique outdoor learning experiences that assist them in reaching their highest potential. Its goal is to lead young people down a path to becoming responsible members of their communities who are capable of passing on the torch of leadership and achievement to their friends and families. Matt Light received the third New England Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award in 2005, and last year, was presented the President's Volunteer Service Award for his outstanding work in the community. Since its inception in 2001, the Light Foundation has raised more over $1.2 million for various programs and initiatives, with the Shoot-Out raising over $300,000 to date. For more information, visit www.MattLightfoundation.org,
