Commemorative Rifle Raffle Benefits Apollo Bicentennial

by Jonathan Weaver

Local sportsmen who also appreciate history can help raise money for this July’s Apollo bicentennial celebration.

Committee members are raffling off a Limited Edition Henry Golden Boy .22 Caliber LR rifle with multiple historical engravings.

Debbie Schultz, owner of Schultz Sportsmens Stop in Kiskiminetas Township, brainstormed the idea with Rocky Mountain Firearms Owner Brian Nesby – a company in Johnstown, Colorado.

“I knew that (the bicentennial committee members) were out there actively seeking to raise money for their event this summer and I know the bicentennial celebration would be large for the community,” Schultz said. “Apollo, I think like many other small communities, struggles to get enough funding to do what they want to do, so when I heard about this through Rocky Mountain Firearms, I thought it might be a great way to possibly help the community.”

Schultz, an Apollo-Ridge graduate, took over the business from her late-father, Matthew, in 1997.

Depictions include General Samuel M. Jackson - Apollo’s most famous Civil War veteran -, Drake’s Log Cabin, the Pennsylvania Railroad Depot and Pennsylvania Mainline Canal.

“There’s a lot of history in Apollo, and I don’t think a lot of people realize that,” Schultz said.

Schultz Sportsmen Stop has donated rifle #16 of 25 to correspond with Apollo’s 1816 settlement date at no cost to the committee

In a press release, Rocky Mountain Firearms, Inc. owner Nesby said he was “very pleased” to help partner for the fundraiser.

Along with the fundraiser, two dozen other similar Golden Boy rifles – numbered 1 through 25 – are also available to be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. The firearms are the property of Rocky Mountain Firearms until they are sold to Schultz’s Sportsmens Stop.

As of last week, Schultz had six of the 25 rifles available.

With regards to the manufacturing of the Golden Boy rifle, there also will be five Henry Big Boy Rifles available in .45 caliber, or .44 caliber – also available on a first come, first serve basis. The Big Boy Rifles will have the exact same engravings, but represent a different choice of rifle for $1,499.

Dr. William Kerr said bicentennial committee members became excited immediately after Schultz’s proposal last month.

Apollo Borough Mayor Jeff Held said the unexpected opportunity was well-received also because of the historical education available with each gun purchase.

Both men thanked the two companies for their donation toward the upcoming summer celebration.

Because of Schultz’s clientele, the firearms may draw interest from the Alle-Kiski Valley, as well as Butler and Indiana.

Raffle tickets are available starting this week from Bicentennial Committee members and at local businesses, including Schultz’s Sportsmens Stop.

Tickets are currently $5 each or can be purchased three for $10.

The rifle winner will be picked July 10 at a public drawing.