Auction To Benefit Youth-Focused Hunting & Fishing Ministry

An Georgia-based youth hunting and fishing ministry, 30-30 Ministries, is now collecting items that will be auctioned off by the Ward Auction Company (Georgia Auctioneer License # AU-C002893) in Cordele, Ga. on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014.

“We are thrilled to be working with the great sportsmen in south Georgia who approached us with the idea of an auction to raise money for 30-30 Ministries,” said Brad Gill, of Eatonton.

Brad is the director of the ministry and editor of Georgia Outdoor News magazine.

He launched 30-30 Ministries in 2011 as a way to set up hunting and fishing weekend camps for kids through partnerships with landowners, hunting clubs, anglers, sportsmen’s groups and churches.

“We provide youth and their parents with one- to three-day, all-expense-paid hunting or fishing experiences,” said Brad. “We furnish participants with lodging, food, drinks and places to hunt or fish. We also give away a 30-30 rifle through a random drawing to one youth participant at every camp.”

Last month, a 30-30 Ministries DEER CAMP was held in Morgan County. Jim Strickland, who owns land in Godfrey, was one of the landowners who allowed kids to come hunting on his property.

“I believe with all my heart in what 30-30 Ministries does for these kids and their families,” said Jim. “Not only are they spending weekends out hunting and fishing with these families, but they are sharing Christ with them.”

It’s partnerships with folks like Jim that has allowed such a rapid growth in the ministry, which operates solely off donations.

“We need folks to donate items that can be auctioned off on Jan. 25,” said Brad. “We’re looking for things of value that folks would be willing to donate—firearms, vehicles, ATVs, boats, tools, appliances.”

30-30 Ministries is a non-profit organization, so donations are tax deductible.

To donate an item for the 30-30 Ministries’ auction, e-mail brad at [email protected] or call Rusty Parker at (229) 322-6864. Volunteers are in place in different areas of the state to make drop-offs more convenient.