The Outdoorsman Ministry Group at the Christian Life Center (CLC) will present the 15th annual Sportsman Event on Saturday, March 8. The program will include a catered dinner, displays, a guest speaker and an opportunity to win gifts and prizes.

This year's event will be held in memory of Bill Leff, who started the CLC outdoor ministry. Leff, who also helped plan the Sportsman Event, passed away a few weeks ago.

"He was always the behind-the-scenes guy. He took care of the details," said Steve Shuster, event organizer.

Shuster said that when entrenched by the details of the annual Sportsman Event, Leff would always remind the organizing team of the greater purpose of the outreach. "His quote was 'This is not our event; this is God's event ... and we need to do this for the community.' Whenever we ran into a challenge, he said that quote," said Shuster.

Doors will open at 3:30 p.m., during which time attendees can view silent auction items and displays by vendors, including sports memorabilia, taxidermy and wildlife displays by various local outdoor groups. "New this year will be a display by TSS (Target Shooting Solutions) in Avondale, which has handgun safety programs and a shooting range," said Shuster. The Pennsylvania Game Commission will also be represented.

The program will begin at 5 p.m. in the church sanctuary with introductions. Dinner, featuring baked ziti and meatballs, will follow at 5:15 p.m.

The silent auction will also open at 5:15 p.m. Participants will be able to bid on a variety of hunting, fishing and outdoor-related items, including artwork, woodworking and hunting packages. "We will also have some gift baskets," Shuster said. "Our most popular is from Sight & Sound. They are donating tickets to a (musical). We will put that in a basket with a dinner (gift certificate). Lancaster Archery Supply is also donating."

All attendees will also be entered into a drawing to win door prizes.

The guest speaker will be Merle Fredericks, who will present a talk beginning at 6:15 p.m. Fredericks is the founder and executive director of Christian Bowhunters of America (CBA), which provides archery programs for both adults and youths.

"We had three people at one of his events and thought he did a really nice job, so I contacted him," Shuster added. "He is located in upstate New York, and he is excited to do our event on March 8."

The program will end with the prize drawings and the announcement of silent auction winners from 7:15 to 8 p.m.

CLC is located at 125 Saginaw Road, New London. Since seating is limited, it is recommended that tickets be purchased in advance; a limited number of tickets will be available at the door.

There will be separate prices for people age 12 and over and children under 12 years of age. For more information and to order tickets, visit http://www.eventbrite.com and search for "2025 Sportsman Event." A link to order tickets is also available at http://www.facebook.com/CLCFamily.church. Proceeds will benefit the Outdoorsman Ministry Group, which offers a youth archery program as one of its activities.