A nonprofit charity group created by the National Rifle Association is planning to take Florida fundraising by storm through a series of events hosted throughout the summer.
Beginning Tuesday, Friends of the NRA, the grassroots fundraising charity group created by the NRA, will host events all over the state until the end of September.
The events will be banquets aimed at joining Second Amendment supporters for an “an evening of food, fellowship, and fundraising for the shooting sports.”
The first event will be held in Inverness, with the group ultimately winding its way back south to end in West Palm Beach at the end of September. Friends of NRA events usually include a dinner, games and raffles. Guest speakers are often present at events as well.
According to an NRA press release, funds raised at Friends of NRA events are equally divided between local and national projects used to promote educational and training projects for youths and adults.
Local monies are distributed by State Fund Committees based on grant applications while The NRA Foundation funds projects on a national scope. Some organizations receiving money include the 4-H and Future Farmers of America.
The events come on the heels of watchful eyes for calls for increased gun safety in the wake of several shootings across the country, including one in Orlando by a terrorist who killed 49 people last month. Democratic Florida lawmakers talked about holding a special legislative session to deal with gun safety issues, but the proposal ultimately fell short and didn’t get enough legislative support to force a special session.
The Friends of the NRA program aims to educate gun owners and promote safety nationwide, raising millions for the programs throughout the years.
Tickets for each of the Florida events range from $35 to $50.
The full stop list is below:
07/12/16 - Citrus County | 5:30 PM | Inverness, FL
07/15/16 - Greater LaBelle | 6:00 PM | LaBelle, FL
07/16/16 - Central Florida | 5:00 PM | Orlando, FL
07/22/16 - Dixie Co | 6:00 PM | Cross City, FL
07/28/16 - Suwannee | 5:30 PM | Trenton, FL
07/29/16 - Starke Area | 5:30 PM | Starke, FL
08/04/16 - NW Florida | 5:30 PM | Chipley, FL
08/11/16 - Panama City | 5:30 PM | Panama City, FL
08/12/16 - Florida Panhandle | 6:00 PM | Pensacola, FL
08/25/16 - Hernando County | 5:30 PM | Brooksville, FL
08/25/16 - Greater Fort Myers | 5:30 PM | Fort Myers, FL
08/26/16 - Okeechobee | 6:00 PM | Okeechobee, FL
08/27/16 - East Pasco | 6:00 PM | Dade City, FL
09/08/16 - Silver River | 5:30 PM | Ocala, FL
09/09/16 - Bay Area | 6:00 PM | Clearwater, FL
09/15/16 - Volusia Area | 6:00 PM | Deland, FL
09/16/16 - Treasure Coast | 6:00 PM | Stuart, FL
09/17/15 - Space Coast | 6:00 PM | Cape Canaveral, FL
09/20/16 - North Florida | 5:30 PM | Gainesville, FL
09/22/16 - Emerald Coast | 5:30 PM | Ft Walton Beach, FL
09/24/16 - Miami | 6:00 PM | Miami, FL
09/30/16 - West Palm Beach | 6:00 PM | West Palm Beach, FL
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
