The Sportsmen’s Club of Fort Worth may have the most successful fundraiser and conservation group you’ve never heard of.
The organization, which is dedicated to outdoor and wildlife charitable and educational activities, with an emphasis on serving area youth and youth organizations, was established in 1957.
It doesn’t sell memberships, and it raises nearly all of its funds from the annual Wild Game Dinner, to be held Feb. 29 at Dickies Arena, where last year 1,100 people gathered to support the group — a far cry from the banquets years and decades ago at one of the area’s country clubs.
The Club’s fundraising totals are mind-blowing.
“Last year, with several hundred auction items, we had a great year,” said President Kyle Whitesell. “Now, we’ve set the bar pretty high. The banquet has become a real throw-down.”
It sells out quickly, but Whitesell said there may be room to add up to 100 seats in the arena.
Beyond conservation of wildlife, the Club’s mission also includes encouraging good sportsmanship, safety in hunting, fishing and related activities, and developing in youth an appreciation for and enjoyment of wildlife and the outdoors.
The list of organizations The Sportsmen’s Club of Fort Worth supports includes:
Aledo Bass Fishing Team
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fort Worth
C.A.S.T.
Camp Carter
Camp El Tesoro
Cancer Care
CASA – Johnson County
Christian Outdoor Ministries
Christ’s Haven
Cinnamon Creek
Claymores
Cops and Bobbers
Delta Waterfowl
Fortress
Foster’s Home
FW Sports Commission
Girl Scouts
Go Wild Outdoors
Hometown Heroes
Memphis Lafferty
Osprey Bass Anglers
Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation
Reel Recovery
Texas Jr. Anglers
The Rock
TPWD Santo
White Settlement P&R
Young Life
“Often, people connect with each other through a charity they support,” Whitesell said.
The Club has filled the halls with a low-key approach, mostly by word of mouth, Whitesell said.
This year’s banquet will feature more than 40 live auction items and over 200 silent auction items. And there are a few tables and tickets available in the large venue, available at the club’s website, sportsmensclub.org.
Don’t miss this great event!
