Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM MARCH 10-16, 2021 UCW 15 Cape Fear Friends of NRA hosts Annual Banquet and Auction by JIM JONES The Cape Fear Friends of NRA will be hosting their 24th Annual Banquet and Auction on March 18, at 6:00 p.m. at Paradise Acres Event Center. There will be raff les, games, an auction, and of course, great food. "We are family-friendly," said Tony Forte, com- mittee chairmen. "We are apolitical. Our issue is putting funds into programs that keep shooting sports safe and renewable." Friends of NRA is the fundraising program under the NRA Foundation. Cumberland and Harnett counties provide a grass-roots effort to ensure the future of safe, responsible firearms ownership and participation in shooting sports. The event also helps raise money, in particular, for funding youth safety programs in eastern North Carolina. The organization hosts youth compe- titions, training and safety courses and provides scholarships to help ensure the future of shooting sports for America's young people. "Some of the things that excite me is we have more and more success locally with programs," said Forte. "Cross Creek Rif le and Pistol club received a grant for competitive youth shooting program. The Eddy Eagle gun safety program teaches that guns are not toys and that kids should "Stop. Don't touch. Run away and tell an adult." I am excited to see what the Fayetteville Police Department is doing with Eddie Eagle and Operation Ceasefire. We support those programs. We support 4-H, sharpshooter clubs, the Scouts. You name the group, and if they are eligible to receive a nonprofit grant, we do everything we can to ensure – if they meet the requirements – that we get them something. Last year, we had $750,000 in grant requests. We were able to support $250,000. The demand for education and safety programs is insatiable." The Friends of the NRA provides a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports. Across the country, more than 13,000 volunteers work tirelessly to make these events happen with the generous of atten- dees and donors who support their efforts. "We are a zero-sum charity," said Forte. "Everything we bring in goes back as grants. We are all volunteers. The committee tries to limit our overhead to less than 1%." There is something for everyone at a Friends of NRA event. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is brimming with excitement, and they will make sure you have a good time while meeting great people. Forte added that the auction items include seve- ral firearms, ammunition and other items like lug- gage, outdoor equipment and artwork. "If you are serious about youth safety and fire- arms," said Forte,"Outside the political arena, the- re's one known resource to get that done, and it is the NRA Foundation." For tickets or information about their programs, contact Tony Forte at 910-824-4681, Jerry Parsek at 910-309-9755 or Don Talbot at 910-977-7776. There are group discounts available, plus a sponsorship and underwriting program. Donations are always welcomed and are tax deductible. The 24th Annual Banquet and Auction will be held March 18 at Paradise Acres Event Center loca- ted at 1965 John McMillan Road, in Hope Mills. JIM JONES, Motorcycle Enthusiast. Comments? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910- 484-6200. EVENT Firearms Sponsor for Cape Fear Friends of the NRA facebook.com/RhudysFirearms Shop Local For all your weapons & ammo needs.