Mandrell Celebrity Shoot benefits foundation

By Howell Dennis

EVANGELINE – The twelfth annual Irlene Mandrell Celebrity Shoot got underway Friday morning as dozens of celebrities and sport shooters gathered at the Cajun Elite Gun Club in Evangeline. The event gave area residents an opportunity to meet Mandrell and other celebrities and to support the Wish Upon a Star foundation and the Boy Scouts of America.

The Wish Upon a Star foundation is dedicated to granting the wishes of children afflicted with high risk and life threatening illnesses.

“Anyone who has children can tell you how good it feels to watch them do something that they’ve always dreamed of doing,” said Mandrell. “If you consider the situation that some of the parents and children in Wish Upon a Star are in it must feel that much better. We don’t just do this for the children but their parents as well.”

The shooting began at 10 a.m. with a silent auction going on from 9 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. The items up for bid included water and oil paintings, several shotguns, sculptures, and many other items. All the proceeds from the auction went to Wish Upon a Star and the Boy Scouts.

“I’ve probably only shot a gun about three or four times in my life,” said Mike Stratman of Knoxville, Tennessee. “But I’ve been down here the past few years just for the fun and the food.”

Many of the people in attendance patiently waited for a picture with Mandrell who graciously obliged them all.

“She’s so friendly,” exclaimed one young fan after having her picture taken with the actress/music host.

The event last though Sunday afternoon with the auction going on each day of the event.