Harger Utility Charities Raises $16,750 for Local Veteran

Record EditorNovember 9, 2017

2 minutes read

Seen at the Sept. 9 Harger Utility Charities clay shoot fundraiser are, from left, recipient U.S. Marine Sergeant Shane Billings, holding his engraved turkey call made by Top Calls of Renovo; his wife and son, Megan and Brenden Billings; Harger Utility Charities co-founders John Hoy III, in back, and David Harger; and Brooke Stover, Harger Utility Charities president.

By LaKeshia Knarr

LOCK HAVEN – Although Sept. 9 marked the sixth annual clay shoot tournament held by Harger Utility Charities to raise funds for local military heroes and their families, it was unique this time.

Marine Sergeant Shane Billings was the first recipient able to attend the event, which raised $16,750 and was held in Middlebury Center. He did so along with his wife, Megan, and their young son, Brenden.

While serving in Afghanistan, Billings stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED), which led to extensive damage of his foot.

“They thought they would be able to save the foot, but they weren’t able to,” explained veteran David Harger, who founded Harger Utility Charities along with John Hoy III.

After a year of trying to rehabilitate his foot, Billings had to undergo an amputation below his knee.

“Veterans Affairs doesn’t cover everything. They do a lot, but they don’t cover everything,” Harger said. “That’s where we come in, to fill that void. There are a lot of costs to being wounded that people don’t even begin to imagine.”

Billings, a New York native, has called Central Pennsylvania home for quite some time. His father is a pastor in Mill Hall, and Billings is currently studying history at Penn State University. When he isn’t spending time with his family or at school, Billings is down in Gettysburg, where he is interning at the battlefield through the state park service.

“Shane is going to school and has a young family. This donation will help take the edge off,” Harger said. “He is such a solid person, with a beautiful little family. They are planning to come back and shoot next year.”

Harger explained that the organization was loosely formed back in 2012 to support Wade Mitcheltree, who was severely wounded while serving in Afghanistan. After coming upon an IED, Mitcheltree ultimately lost both legs and a hand.

“We came up with this tournament as way to potentially get some money together to help him out,” Harger said, noting he had known Mitcheltree’s sister, Denise, a long time. “Something that happens to veterans that is not unique to me is survivor guilt… This is a way I can heal myself and also take care of my brothers. For me, this is a continuation of service; my oath has no deadline.”

The effort didn’t stop after the 2012 event, and before they knew it, the loosely-formed group was planning an annual event.