The Friends of NRA is known as the blockbuster fundraising program under the NRA Foundation. Since its founding, the program has been a grassroots effort that was fueled to secure the Second Amendment while raising funds in support of shooting sports.
There were over 1,000 events hosted last year and over 3,000 grants awarded. This year, the Carbon County Friends of NRA banquet returned to the Carbon County Event Center on Saturday evening.
Beginning at 5 p.m., there was registration, a preview of merchandise, games and a raffle. The welcome and Pledge of Allegiance took place before the dinner, catered by Sam Farlaino, was served, and the auction began. The Friends of NRA committee consists of Chairman Craig Johnson, Vice-Chairman Wendell Christensen, and Secretary and Treasurer John Watkins.
Other members are Ray Labahn, David Jelin, Christine Watkins and Steve Rosenthal while Logan Duff acts of the NRA Field Representative. Donors and contributors included, but were not limited to, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Tractor Supply Company, CJ’s Do It Center, Spectrum Paint and the North Springs Shooting Range.
Cash donors were David Jelin, GENCO Mine, Shauntel Peterson, Monte Unsworth, Craig Johnson, Rachel Walton, Ralph Keele, Wendell Christensen, John Watkins, Jason Marietti, Richard Hackwell, Franki Iriart, Dawn Manzanares and Tom Barrington.
