 More than 150 shooters, valuable auction items and appearances by pro staff members helped raise $26,000 to support outdoor opportunities for active duty and combat veterans at the inaugural Benelli USA Invitational Shoot. The money raised from the sporting clays shoot made it the largest fund-raising event in the history of Freedom Hunters.
 The Benelli USA Invitational Shoot took place on Friday, September 11 at Pintail Point in Queenstown, Md. 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 alongside Franchi Pro Staff member Theresa Vail and “The Fowl Life” host Chad Belding. Following the shoot, which was open to the public, competitors enjoyed an Eastern Shore lunch and took part in a silent auction.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 Marketing Tom Kaleta and Chief Logistics Officer Dan Boyle presented the $26,000 raised from entry fees and silent auction bids to Freedom Hunters Founder Anthony Pace.
“We’re honored by the opportunity to support Freedom Hunters and give back what we can to those who give so much in service to our country,” DeBolt said. “It’s exciting to be a part of a fundraiser where we can play a direct role in bringing some much-deserved joy into a hero’s life. With the money raised we know we will be affecting a lot of veterans – and their families – in extremely positive ways.”
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 event donors Pelican, Howard Leight, Fiocchi and Pintail Point, Freedom Hunters arranges outdoor adventures and opportunities for active duty and combat veterans, as well as families of fallen heroes and children of deployed.
“I cannot find the proper words to show our appreciation to Benelli USA for hosting such an incredible event,” Pace said. “The money raised will make an immediate and long-lasting impact on the lives of our servicemen and women. Benelli USA will forever be a member of the Freedom Hunters Family.”
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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.
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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.
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