A Successful Evening at the National NRA Foundation Banquet

Imagine a night full of fun, firearms, and fellowship. A evening of food, auctions, games, and the camaraderie of other Second Amendment supporters. An event that is not only fun for the whole family, but raises money to ensure the future of the shooting sports. Too good to be true right? Well good news, that event does exist! 

The National NRA Foundation Banquet  took place at the 145th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Louisville, Kentucky just a few weeks ago.


With over 2,100 attendees, the event raised more than $800,000 for the NRA Foundation! Additionally, funds raised from the HPR/NRA Black Ops Jeep Wrangler Auction (which sold for almost $88,000!) and the Wall of Guns, generated over $1 million for the foundation!

Funds from the event were raised through several different games and raffles, along with a silent auction and live auction. 


There were lots of great items to bid on and choose from, but these were the night's top selling items:

• Sig Sauer Experience for two - $13,000
  The Sig Academy Experience donated by Sig Sauer Inc. included two Sig Legion p226 9mm handguns, two Sig MCX rifles in 5.56 with 16inch barrels, and four days of the Sig Sauer Academy Responsible Citizen Course.
  
  
• Original 1912 Winchester Rifle - $11,250
  The Winchester Model 12 Serial 2106 donated by Winchester, was one of five exclusive Winchester framed cartridge and firearm collectible, features historic ammunition cartridges, nostalgic packaging and the Winchester 150th anniversary medallion.
  
  
• Seven Day Sable Hunt in South Africa - $7,000
  This seven day/ eight night South American safari was donated by Authentic African Adventures. One hunter and one non-hunter will get to experience the majesty and excitement that awaits on 30,000 hectares of some of South Africa's most picturesque landscape filled with abundant wildlife.

And last but not least, the Volunteer of the Year and Committee of the Year awards sponsored by Ripcord. It is with the gracious time and dedication from our volunteers we are able to host this event, and Friends of NRA banquets across the nation. Combined, this year’s volunteers of the year recipients have close to 50 years of experience and raised almost $600,000 in the last year alone.

Here are the 2016 recipients of "Volunteer of the Year" and "Committee of the Year" awards:

• Eastern Region Volunteer of the Year - Charles Steinmetz from Sugarcreek, Ohio
• Central Region Volunteer of the Year - Kellie Walsh from Freeport, Illinois
• South Central Region Volunteer of the Year - Katherine Hinton from Pampa, Texas
• Southern Region Volunteer of the Year - Mike Odell from Gonzales, Louisiana
• Southwest Region Volunteer of the Year - Rick Meyeres of Bakersfield, California
• Western Region Volunteer of the Year - Rick Rothleutner from Upton, Wyoming
• Committee of the Year - Mid-Coast Friends of NRA committee from Victoria, Texas, raised over 1.8 million dollars for the NRA Foundation!
  
  

The National NRA Foundation Banquet was a huge success! Thank you to all the sponsors, Century Arms, Henry Repeating Arms, Kimber, and Universal Coin and Bullion, attendees, and volunteers who made the evening possible!

Want to attend events like this and get involved in your community? Check out your local Friends of NRA chapter for more information on events and volunteer opportunities.