Proceeds from sporting clays event to fund hunting, fishing opportunities for soldiers
Accokeek, MD -(AmmoLand.com)- The second annual Benelli USA Invitational Shoot drew 214 shooters from within the outdoor industry and across the region to raise more than $31,000 for Freedom Hunters to support outdoor opportunities for active duty and combat veterans.
The Benelli USA Invitational Shoot took place on Friday, September 9 at The Point at Pintail in Queenstown, Maryland. Attendees included active duty military personnel, veterans; Freedom Hunters participants from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and others shotgunners from the region who competed in a sporting clays shoot. Following the shoot, which was open to the public, competitors enjoyed an Eastern Shore lunch and participated in both a live and silent auction, whose proceeds also went to Freedom Hunters.
The following day, Benelli USA Executive Team General Manager Tom DeBolt, Vice President of Sales Bill Pugh, Chief Financial Officer Phyllis Blacknall Jones, Vice President of Brand Marketing Tim Joseph and Chief Logistics Officer Dan Boyle presented a check for $31,000 raised from entry fees and silent auction bids to Freedom Hunters.
“Benelli USA is proud to partner with Freedom Hunters to accomplish the ultimate goal of getting active duty and retired service men and women out hunting and shooting,” said Benelli USA General Manager Tom DeBolt. “It is important for us all to play our part in supporting these incredible individuals and Benelli USA is honored to contribute over $31,000 to Freedom Hunters from the proceeds of our second annual Invitational Shoot.”
Freedom Hunters is a military outreach program whose mission is to convey the outdoor community’s appreciation for the dedication of and sacrifices made by the men and woman of the Armed Forces. Through the support of numerous groups and companies, including Benelli USA and others within the outdoor industry, Freedom Hunters arranges outdoor adventures and opportunities for active duty and combat veterans, as well as families of fallen heroes and children of deployed.
Individual high scores for the second annual Benelli USA Invitational Shoot include Oz Khan (score 92) with the highest overall individual score and runner up Robert Crow (score 89).
The team of Brandon Geweke, Marty Geweke, Joe Kukla Sr. and Joe Kukla Jr. won the overall team competition with a combined score of 327.
About Benelli USA:
Benelli USA is a world leader in manufacturing quality semiautomatic shotguns and rifles that are known for their ultra-reliability and high-performance standards.
For the latest news and product information visit www.benelliusa.com.
About Freedom Hunters:
Freedom Hunters is a military outreach program dedicated to honoring those who protect our freedoms. Our mission is to salute the noble work of our courageous men and women of our Armed Forces. Freedom Hunters reflects the outdoor community’s appreciation to our troops by taking select active duty and combat veterans, families of fallen heroes, children of the deployed and those wounded or injured on outdoor adventures. Freedom Hunters’ mission is empowered by the generous support of many, including sportsmen, conservation groups, state agencies, outfitters, corporations and landowners.
To learn more about Freedom Hunters, go to www.freedomhunters.org.