DIXFIELD – The Western Maine Jr. Rifle Club has received a grant for $3,210 from the NRA Foundation. Organizers of the club had submitted a grant proposal through the Friends of the NRA for the grant.

The proposal was to completely outift two junior shooters with target rifles, slings, shooting jackets, gloves and kneeling rolls.

Scott Blaisdell noted that competitive shooting is a very precise sport. “When you’re shooting at a target the size of a half dollar from a distance of 50 feet, and the 10 ring is a dot the size of the head of a needle, every little bit makes a difference.

We were very fortunate to receive this grant. The equipment that was purchased with the NRA grant will go a long ways toward improving the scores of our shooters,” he said.

The club, made up of youths ages 10 to 19 from all over the region, has expanded over the past year from 11 to 23 shooters, who practice one evening a week over 12 weeks during the winter.

“Thanks to programs like the NRA Foundation, we can get and keep the youth of America interested in the shooting sports,” noted Blaisdell, adding that anyone interested in the club can contact him at 562-7131.