HOUSTON, Feb. 25, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- On March 15, 2008, armed with rifles, ammunition and sunscreen instead of derricks, drill bits and power tools, members and friends of the Oilfield Helping Hands will take to the fields of Baroid on the Brazos for Oilfield Helping Hands' 5th Annual Sporting Clays Tournament. Baroid on the Brazos is a large acreage of land located west of Houston, in Fulshear, Texas, owned by retired Fort Bend County Judge Carl Bentley and family. This one-day tournament touting three different shooting flights, 8:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., is expected to draw over 750 participants, sponsors and volunteers, to take part in one of the biggest fundraisers organized by the Oilfield Helping Hands.
Oilfield Helping Hands (OHH) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization comprised of volunteers primarily from the oil & gas industry devoted to providing financial assistance to oilfield workers in crisis who live and/or work in Houston, Texas and the surrounding metroplex. The organization was started in 2003 by several Halliburton Baroid employees holding a sporting clay tournament to benefit a fellow employee stricken with a terminal illness. The event was such a huge success that the Oilfield Helping Hands was born -- gaining momentum along the way as word spread of the organization. Currently Oilfield Helping Hands has approximately 80 companies represented, six corporate members and over 200 individual members.
Oilfield Helping Hands spokesperson Mitzi Flowers, stated "Oilfield Helping Hands has grown from one small sporting clay tournament to four annual fundraising events -- appealing not only to the sporting clay shooter or hunter, but to the golfer and fisherman as well. The Spring clay shoot, however, is Oilfield Helping Hands' largest fundraiser and is a major highlight on its annual charity events calendar. Oilfield Helping Hands membership, event participation and volunteering is not limited to businesses in and employees of the oil & gas industry. Anyone wishing to get involved in giving back to their community is invited. These events are not only about shooting clay birds, knocking around golf balls or catching fish. This is about stewardship in our community; it's about making a difference in someone's life; it's about second chances for many; all the while having fun. The money raised at one of these events may very well help a family member, a friend or a neighbor who is employed in one of the many facets of the oil & gas industry."
All proceeds raised at the Oilfield Helping Hands annual fundraising events go toward providing assistance to its recipients. Since its inception, Oilfield Helping Hands has distributed over $500,000 in monetary assistance to more than 35 families.
Recently incorporated into its charity events calendar is the Annual Sporting Clays Tournament Benefiting Homes for Our Troops (HFOT). HFOT is a non-profit organization that builds or modifies specially adapted homes for soldiers and marines who have suffered severe, life-altering injuries. The first annual event held January 25-26, 2008, generously sponsored by Energy Corporation of America as title sponsor, Halliburton, Edge Petroleum MI-Swaco and many other individuals and corporations associated with the Oilfield Helping Hands, raised over $100,000 for Homes for Our Troops. On January 15, 2008, Oilfield Helping Hands appeared before Houston Mayor Bill White and City Council members urging the City of Houston to recognize the HFOT by issuing a formal proclamation designating January 25, 2008 as Homes for Our Troops Day in Houston.
Other fundraising events scheduled for the year: Annual Fishing Tournament -- July 25, 2008 in Port O'Connor, Texas; Annual Golf Tournament - (tentatively) September 29, 2008 at Cypresswood Golf Club, Houston, Texas; Fall Sporting Clays Tournament -- Date to be determined, Baroid on the Brazos, Fulshear, Texas. If want to learn more about Oilfield Helping Hands and how you can help, please visit us on the web at http://www.oilfieldhelpinghands.net/ or contact: Mitzi Flowers -- Edge Petroleum Corporation (713) 335-9812 Cindy Schmidt -- Edge Petroleum Corporation (713) 427-8816 To register online for the 5th Annual Spring Clay Tournament, please go to: http://www.oilfieldhelpinghands.org/springclays/ or contact: Carla Patton -- ECA Holdings (281) 277-4300 To find out how you can be a sponsor for the tournament, please contact: Brad Mattox -- ECA Holdings (281) 277-4300 To volunteer please contact: Julia Bitterly -- MI-Swaco (832) 295-2505