The finale in a series of seven Kevin Bell Memorial Blast & Cast events will be held Saturday, Nov. 7, in Waverly from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
This year’s Blast & Cast is held in honor of former Auburn Police Chief Frank deGraffenried and Col. Andrew LaMar Jr., both of whom were key supporters that passed away this year, according to a news release from the City of Auburn.
“[The 2015 Blast & Cast] is going to be our final and biggest year,” said Meg Beard, an event coordinator.
The event consists of a 1.5-mile all-terrain walking course, sporting clays, shooting exercises for pistols, rifles and shotguns, knife and tomahawk throws and a slingshot shoot.
The tomahawk throw and slingshot shoot are hosted by the local Boy Scout Troop 50.
Food and prizes are also included with the $135 entry fee, with proceeds benefiting the Auburn Veterans Scholarship Fund.
The Auburn Veterans Scholarship Fund was established in 2008 by the City of Auburn and the Auburn Veterans Committee in order to assist local veterans in pursuing higher education at local universities and colleges.
“[The Blast & Cast] is a complicated event and safety is paramount, so we might do a simple clay shoot in the future,” said Andy LaMar, son of the late Col. Andrew LaMar Jr.
LaMar, who hosts the event on his property, said it was his father that recommended “we shoot for the local Veterans Committee” when deciding where to spread the benefits of the Kevin Bell Memorial Blast & Cast. Though this is the final Kevin Bell Memorial Blast & Cast, other events may follow to continue support for the Auburn Veterans Scholarship Fund.
The Blast & Cast event is named in memory of Kevin Bell, a local man who was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia, a neuromuscular disease, at age 7.
Despite being unable to walk and write by age 11, Bell graduated from Auburn University at age 19 and served as a substitute teacher in Auburn City Schools, according to the release.
Blast & Cast originated as a fundraiser for Bell’s medical expenses and has continued in his name since his passing in 2010.
Bell’s life stands as a testament to the strength of his personal determination, the resolute love of his family, and the power of the Auburn community in making a mark on the world, according to Beard.
Further information on Kevin Bell and the event can be found on the Kevin Bell Memorial Blast & Cast Facebook page.
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