Key Peninsula Sportsmen’s Club: less about sports, more about social good

Sara Thompson

Orderly mailboxes greet visitors to historic Jackson Lake sportsmen's club property. Photo by Sara Thompson, KP News

In March, Key Peninsula Sportsmen’s Club President Don Holman called its 830^th meeting to order. Members of this local nonprofit organization have gathered to enjoy each other’s company and raise money to support the community for nearly six decades.

And on Sunday, April 24, they are holding the Key Peninsula’s longest-running annual fundraiser: the Fisherman’s Breakfast. From 7:30 a.m. to noon $6 will get you a meal of pancakes, ham and eggs. For those six and younger the meal is free. A yard sale that Saturday and Sunday will add to the experience. Tickets are available from club members and at the door.

They look forward to a bigger-than-ever event, hoping to feed at least 300. Proceeds will go to support local nonprofits. Each year the club supports Key Peninsula Community Services and the KP Little League. They also give children scholarships to go to camp for a week on Orcas Island and adopt two families at Christmas through the Children’s Home Society.

“We were established in 1947,” said club president Don Holman. “It started out as a sportsmen’s club with such activities as skeet shooting, but over time we have shifted to be a social club.”

Located on Jackson Lake, the clubhouse was built from lumber cut on the property in 1955. The club leases land to the 12 households there, and income from the leases supports the basic infrastructure and maintenance for the homes and clubhouse.

There are scheduled events each month. Members meet for a potluck dinner and business meeting, enjoy a bingo night and a Bunco night as well as a luncheon. Connections run deep; several members are second-generation.

Randy Viers, board member and publicity chair, is one of several second-generation members; his parents used to live at the club, and now his brother has moved there. “We welcome new members,” he said.

When asked about membership requirements, Holman said, “We ask that new members be sponsored by a current member and be at least 45 years old. But the main qualification is that you should want to have fun!”

Anyone interested in joining should contact Bill Smith, the club secretary, at: proteus@centurytel.net.

For more information, go to: facebook.com/Key-Peninsula-Sportsmens-Club.

Fisherman’s Breakfast Sunday, April 24 7:30 a.m.-noon Pancakes, ham and eggs Key Peninsula Sportsmen’s Club 3503 Jackson Lake Road $6 per person, children six and under free[/box]