NRA banquet set for Oct. 16

By JAINE TREADWELL

Features Editor

Conecuh Friends of the National Rifle Association (FONRA) will host a banquet fundraiser at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Adams Center Ballroom to help raise awareness of the need to promote safe gun handing among school children.

A limited number of tickets is available and they are going fast, said Raymond Ledford,

FONRA member of the Conecuh Friends of the NRA.

"Those who wish to purchase tickets need to do so as soon as possible," Ledford said. "Each ticket is good for the banquet meal and also gives you a chance to win a rifle and shotgun. There will be many other opportunities for ‘take homes’ at the banquet.

"We will have an open bid auction and a silent auction with a lot of great items on the block. The auctions are always a lot of fun and an opportunity to get some really good buys."

A large number of door prizes have been donated by area merchants who are very supportive of the event.

"Everywhere I’ve been, merchants have been more than happy to help us out because of the good that will come from the money we make," Ledford said.

The NRA supports 4-H shooting teams, JROTCs and provides elementary school gun safety courses, including the Eddie Eagle program which goes into schools and teaches children safety around firearms and what to do when they encounter a firearm.

NRA Foundation Grants are given to Alabama schools for educational purposes.

"Educating young people on the proper use of firearms is the best way to prevent accidents," Ledford said. "However, these programs cost money and that’s why we have the banquet. The funds raised will be used for educational purposes and conservation activities.

"Contributions to FONRA are partially tax deductible and none of the money raised will be used for legislative activities."

The local NRA association is hoping for more than 200 people to attend this year’s banquet.

"It’s going to be and great night and we would like to have a big crowd, so we invite everyone to come out and enjoy good food and good fellowship and support a very worthwhile cause," Ledford said.

Tickets for the banquet are $30 each and can be purchased at Discount Tires, Dunn’s True Value Hardware, Raymond’s Barber Shop, Don Walker’s Western Wear, Pike Farmers Co-op and Troy SportShop.