Typically, shotguns aren’t associated with charitable acts. In fact, over the last decade, they have earned a rather conflicting reputation.

But a Greenville ranch and Washington shooting range are working in harmony, so to speak, and raising money for a worthy cause.

On Aug. 23, shooters of all ages will venture to Hunters’ Pointe, located off N.C. Highway 17 in Washington, to raise money for the Rocking Horse Ranch Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program.

“When we opened Hunters’ Pointe, we wanted it to be a place where you could bring your kids and didn’t have to worry about four-letter words,” said Rita Downs, the owner of Hunters’ Pointe. “We wanted it to be a family environment.”

The ranch, located on Blue Banks Farm Road in Greenville, is a nonprofit equestrian organization that provides activities and therapy to children and adults with a range of physical, cognitive and psychological disabilities. Since 1991, residents from Pitt County and the surrounding area, including Beaufort County, have taken advantage of programs focusing on mental health and learning.

The charity shoot, donned “Clays for a Cause” and organized by Will Daugherty, a member of the Rocking Horse Ranch board of directors, is a 50-clay target shoot that will help raise money for scholarships provided to low income students.

“This is a great cause and I’m getting really excited,” Downs said. “(Daughtery’s) goal is to have 100 people. This is a kind of event where the casual to regular sport shooters will come out and support a cause like this.”

The doors open at 8 a.m. for practice with the shoot beginning at 9 a.m. Local companies will be sponsoring the event, including Jimmy John’s, which will also be supplying a free lunch for the shooters.

Prior to the charity shoot, Hunters’ Pointe will also be hosting the “Carolina Cool Off,” a National Sporting Clays Association sanctioned, 100-bird shoot event, on Aug. 17.

To register or learn more about “Clays for a Cause,” visit claysforacause.org.