Kids & Family
Date Set for 'Spc. Zack Shannon Hootenanny'
A fundraiser party for a memorial scholarship fund is in the works.
Planning is now underway for the first major fundraiser event since Dunedin's hometown hero, Army Spc. Zack Shannon, was killed in Afghanistan this year.
The "Hootenanny" is raising money for the memorial Spc. Zack Shannon Scholarship Fund, awarded to the top Dunedin High Naval JROTC marksman each year.
Shannon, 21, who was named Dunedin High's NJROTC top marksman three consecutive years before graduating in 2010, is one of five soldiers who died March 11 when their Black Hawk helicopter went down during a night vision operation in Kandahar.
William Giardini became the first sharp-shooting recipient of a $1,000 scholarship in May, with funds raised from silicone bracelets sold in memory of Zack Shannon.
The Spc. Zack Shannon Hootenanny launched a Facebook page over the weekend in hopes of spreading the word about the inaugural fundraising party.
A Facebook status promises:
"... live music, food, booze, raffles, auctions and all kinds of good fun! Money raised will go to the Spc Zack Shannon Scholarship which benefits the Dunedin High JROTC! Tell your friends and stay tuned, more info to come........."
Responses to a Facebook invitation have been positive, with 67 RSVPing "yes" in the first few days.
Want to Go?
- When: Nov. 16, time to be decided
- Where: Copperheads Tap House, 670 Main St., Safety Harbor
- RSVP on Facebook
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