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Friends of the NRA banquet

A large crowd checks the auction items at the Friends of NRA Banquet.

It was a packed house for the 10th Mid Ohio Valley Friends of NRA Banquet, which was held Saturday night at the Churchtown K of C Hall. The annual event helps the NRA Foundation raise money that benefits area shooting sports programs through grants. The banquet consistently draws around 300 people

Some of the funds raised will go towards the 4-H Bull’s-Eye Shooting Sports program, the Women On Target program and the Warren Archery Program among others. The National Rifle Association (NRA) feels that the future of shooting sports greatly depends upon the youth and women. That is why they feel strongly about promoting shooting sports through youth and women’s programs.

The 4-H Bull’s-Eye Shooting Sports program is open to all boys and girls ages 9-19 who are interested in learning and practicing the safe and responsible use of firearms and archery equipment. The NRA’s Women On Target is a program that is specifically geared towards women and gives them hands-on experience and gun safety training.

“We’re excited about our 10th year. We’d like to raise more than $25,000,” said chairman Todd Hetzer. “We have a good crowd and we are really looking forward to it.”

“This has always been a hugely successful event,” said Bryan Hoover, Eastern Region Director Field Operations Division for the NRA. “Our goal is to raise dollars to promote shooting sports and the enjoyment of it. Todd Hetzer is committed and does a fantastic job. I’ve seen this chapter grow the past 10 years and the local community support is amazing. It’s nice to see. It’s a great event and everybody has a good time.”

“There’s a lot of support here,” expressed David Graham, NRA Southern Ohio Field Representative. “Our mission is to support the shooting sports. We’re all passionate about kids shooting sports and tradition. We want to nurture them and help them grow.”

Bryan Baker, a 4-H Bull’s-Eye Shooting Sports Instructor explained that the evening was a great opportunity to raise money for youth so they have education camps to understand everything they need to know about guns and what the shooting sports are. The program received a grant Saturday that will help them continue their great work.

“Shooting sports are great. They are really fun,” said Parker Glodowski, 13, a student at Parkersburg Catholic High School, who was in one of Baker’s 4-H shooting groups. “I think it’s good for the community for the instructors to teach people how to shoot and to learn about safety with guns.”

Belinda Glodowski, Parker’s mother stated, “I think it’s great for the youth to learn how to properly care for and use firearms and to responsibly appreciate the sport.”

At Warren Local, people in the archery program were excited that they will be receiving a grant from the Friends of the NRA. The archery program is now in its second year after wanting such a program for about 10 years.

Current Warren Superintendent Kyle Newton has been very supportive of the new program and opened the door for them to be able to go to competitions. 4-H and Warren archery instructor Gary Gaughan mentioned to Warren educator Lynn Laing about the grants and Lynn proceeded with the application process.

“We’re pretty excited. We were accepted for a grant through the Friends of the NRA that will fully fund our Warren Archery Program,” expressed Laing. We will accept a check tonight on behalf of the high school. It’s amazing.”

“I’m very excited about the new archery program at Warren,” admitted Larry King, Warren High School Archery Coach. “We started last year at Warren on a shoestring budget and it went very well. We decided to join the Appalachian Archery League. Just today, we competed in our second match. I see improvement every week. It’s fun to see them having success.”

Sheriff Larry Mincks, said, “This is a banquet that I always attend every year. I like it. I support the NRA. It’s a good organization and it’s really active in Southeastern Ohio.”

Mike Nau shared, “I go to many of these Friends of the NRA Banquets. This is a very worthwhile organization. The same people come every year. They are very dedicated.”

For more information, visit the Friends of the NRA website at friendsofnra.org.

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