From Nicole McMahon:
Every state does something different in order to raise money at Friends of NRA banquets, but Tennessee does something unique – it focuses on quality donations that are raffled or auctioned off at each of its 24 banquets. In the past, Tennessee may have had one or two statewide donations; this year, it had a remarkable 16, and the numbers keep growing.
One of the more coveted items added this year, a 1911 Pistol .45 ACP, is being produced by C.O. Arms exclusively for the Tennessee Friends of NRA. Each pistol is engraved with the words “Tennessee Friends of NRA 2010,” the Friends of NRA patriot logo, and a serial number TNFNRA01 through 24.
Mike Webb, the NRA Field Representative for Tennessee, received news from another high-end donor whose donation package would start at a minimum bid of $1,000. Included in the package is:
- A tour for up to 10 guests of the Barrett Firearms plant, which would include shooting the world famous Barrett .50-caliber rifle.
- Each winning bidder will be eligible for a drawing at the end of the year for one FREE Barrett 98-Bravo 338 Lupua Rifle. The 98-Bravo has been named the NRA Publications’ Golden Bullseye Rifle of the Year for 2010.
- Each of the top bidders from the Friends’ chapters (while they did not win the FREE rifle) may purchase the 98-Bravo during 2010 with a discount of $500 from Barrett.
Veteran donors of the Tennessee Friends of NRA, Tactical Response and Hero-Gear, are also supplying attractive packages. In 2008, Tactical Response became the first ever Tennessee statewide donor. Its 2-day training class with lodging has raised a total of approximately $17,000 in funds for The NRA Foundation. Hero-Gear, who supplies a Fantasy Range Day for two, raised over $12,000 in 2009.
Other donors for 2010 include:
- Eddie Wilson – Tennessee Friends of NRA State Fund Co-Chairman/Memphis Treasurer
- Dixie Gun Works
- Tennessee Cartridge Company
- Robertson Trading Post
- Extreme Shock Ammo
- NRA Board Member Inspector Bill Allen (Shelby County Tennessee Sheriff’s Department)
- Len Assante – Old Hickory Sportsmen Chairman/NRA Instructor (Hendersonville)
- Bill Huff – Tennessee State Fund/East Tennessee Chairman
- Jonathan May – Memphis Committee Member
- Tennessee Shooting Sports Association (Our NRA State Association)
- Aquil Bey – Freedom Committee Member/NRA Instructor of Tailored Defense
To bid on these items find a Tennessee Friends of NRA event near you! Visit www.friendsofnra.org/tn/event to see a listing of upcoming events. For more information on any of these donations, please contact NRA Field Rep Mike Webb at (901) 382-4789 or mwebb@nrahq.org.