Suffield Club Raises more than $5,500 for Wounded Marine

Suffield’s Fox Hollow Gun Club raised more than $5,500 for Marine Cpl. Greg Caron, an Ellington native seriously injured during a recent tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Caron received a purple heart for his severe injuries, including the loss of both legs, a finger, a broken collarbone and shrapnel wounds, caused by an improvised explosive device (IED). He is back in the U.S. and rehabilitating, but the financial and emotional costs associated with his injuries and recovery created an outpouring of support in Ellington and the surrounding area.

With a tradition of contributing to charities during the holiday season stretching back about a decade, the Fox Hollow Gun Club, with 30 members in all, was looking for a way to give back to military personnel. After learning of Caron’s situation, the club decided to give him its support.

With a suggested donation of $5 per member at the club’s monthly competition, the anticipated total of $150 grew throughout the evening. Some of the Fox Hollow shooters showed up to the event with larger than expected contributions. Following the club dinner, where a member read a poem entitled A Soldier's Silent Night, several of those in attendance began donating additional amounts between $100 and $1,000. With a final $1,000 donation from a member who couldn’t attend the competition, the total contribution reached $5,515.

“Please accept this donation on behalf of the entire Fox Hollow Gun Club,” wrote club president Jeff Bentz in a letter on behalf of the club to Caron. “We are proud of you Greg, for what you have done for our country. We hope your determination to get better continues to grow with your sprits remaining high as you work towards your return to Connecticut. May God bless you and God bless America.”