Support the NRA and the shooting sports at Friends of NRA dinners in Michigan, Florida, Texas and more

Fairfax, Virginia - Straight from the NRA's Event Marketing and Communications Manager, Nicole McMahon, here are your Friends of NRA banquets for the next week.

At Friends of NRA banquets you can find friendly, generous people who gather out of their love of the Second Amendment to raise money for local, state and national shooting sports programs. And each event is run by our absolutely dedicated volunteers. Without their help, we would not be able to have such reach across the country or make as much of an impact on the future of our shooting sports heritage as we do today.

Find out where Friends of NRA dinners are happening ...

Support the NRA and the shooting sports at Friends of NRA dinners in Delaware, Indiana, Utah and more

Wednesday morning means it's time again to welcome Nicole McMahon, NRA Field Operatons' Senior Event Services Coordinator, for this week's rundown of Friends of NRA banquets scheduled to take off across the United States.

There are about 1,100 Friends of NRA dinners held every year and they're all driven, and put on, by our dedicated volunteers. All money raised at banquets goes right back into supporting the shooting sports - half into national programs and half into local and state programs where the banquet was held. If you haven't made it to one of our tables, fear not. The season has just begun, there are plenty of opportunities to catch up.

To attend an event in your neighborhood, check the Friends of NRA website for a list of upcoming events in your state. Bookmark that page while you're at it because they are adding events all the time.

Find out where Friends of NRA dinners are happening ...

NRA Country's Rodney Atkins live in Billings, Montana

Fairfax, Virginia - Tomorrow evening country music stars Rodney Atkins and John Thompson will be performing at the Shrine Auditorium in Billings, Montana thanks, as a part of NRA Country.

Only $29 for a ticket to see some great live country music, part of the event's proceeds will go to the Montana Friends of NRA, who provide grants for local gun clubs, firing ranges and outdoors organizations to continue America's great shooting sports heritage.

More on NRA Country's Rodney Atkins live in Billings, Montana ...

Support the NRA at dinners in Oregon, Wisconsin, North Carolina and more

Courtesy of Senior Event Services Coordinator Nicole McMahon, here are the Friends of NRA banquets for this next week.

At Friends of NRA events, you can find friendly, generous people who gather out of their love of the Second Amendment to raise money for the shooting sports. Here, you'll find unique, collectible NRA gear that attendees can win in raffles and games, or bid for in auctions.

Don't see a banquet near you on the list below? Don't worry, there's sure to be one nearby that's coming up soon. Check the Friends of NRA website for the full list of this year's dinners to help you plan.

More on this week's Friends of NRA events ...

Matt and Jessie Duff head to Ohio for one last competition in 'The Best of the Buckeye State'

Fairfax, Virginia - This is it, Friends. Sunday night is the last episode of the Friends of NRA's television show. All to quickly, the ever electric third season on the Outdoor Channel comes to an end.

With all the wild adventures Matt and Jessie went through in Season 3, one wonders what they've been saving for the finale? How about a shoot-off?

More on Friends of NRA's Episode 10 preview...

Support the NRA at dinners in Colorado, Virginia, Arizona and more

Courtesy of Senior Event Services Coordinator Nicole McMahon, here are the Friends of NRA events for this next week.

At Friends of NRA dinners you're surrounded by friendly, generous people who gather out of their appreciation for the Second Amendment and desire to help our country's shooting sports heritage. Banquets feature games, raffles, auctions and more all to raise money for shooting sports programs at the national, state and local levels.

Wonder what types of things you'll see at Friends of NRA dinners? Feast your eyes on some of the 2013 merchandise right here.

Find the nearest banquets to you on the Friends of NRA website to help plan which banquet(s) you will attend this year.

Find out where Friends of NRA dinners are happening ...

Support the NRA this next week at fundraising dinners in California, Indiana, Pennsylvania and more

Courtesy of Senior Event Services Coordinator Nicole McMahon, here are the Friends of NRA events for this next week.

At Friends of NRA events, you can find friendly, generous people who gather out of their love of the Second Amendment to raise money for the programs run by the NRA. It is these programs that include education, training, conservation and competition, that help people to continue exercising their right to bear arms.

Wonder what new items you'll see at Friends of NRA dinners near you? See our sneak peek of 2013 merchandise right here.

Find the nearest banquets to you on the Friends of NRA website to help plan which banquet(s) you will attend this year.

Find out where Friends of NRA dinners are happening ...

Wife gives hubby an AR-15 styled birthday cake at Friends of NRA dinner

A few days ago, Elizabeth Mais dropped us a line from Connecticut. She told us about the wonderful time she had last weekend at a Friends of NRA dinner. But she wanted to do more than just say thanks. She wanted to tell us about a cake.

As luck would have it, the date of the Friends banquet fell on the same day as her husband's birthday. So Elizabeth decided to sieze the opportunity celebrate the NRA, the shooting sports, and Bill's birthday all in one fell swoop. What better way to do that than with frosting?

Everything came together thanks to a little creativity by Elizabeth, Jenny-Lu’s and their AR-15/Gadsden flag cake creation. Here's Elizabeth with the full story:

Plantsville, Connecticut - Last year was my husband Bill’s 50th birthday. Because I was unemployed at the time, I could not afford to give him the party he deserved. This year I wanted it to be special and it was. Bill’s birthday happened to fall on the same day as the Friends of the NRA annual dinner. I thought, how perfect, an evening with good food, great friends, gun raffles, and camaraderie! What could be better than celebrating his birthday with 1300 fellow patriots!

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Support the NRA at dinners in Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Georgia and more

Fairfax, Virginia - This is going to be a big week for Friends of NRA banquets. From coast to coast we have plenty of dinners you can attend to show your support for the NRA (and have a fun time doing it).

Thanks to Senior Event Specialist Nicole McMahon we've got the full list of events below. Scroll through and see if there are any events coming up nearby. It's never too late to see if you can attend.

If you've never been to a banquet and would like to learn more about them, visit the Friends of NRA website here. Want to check the date and location of the event closest to you? Locate your state on the map and view the full list of their future events this year.

Find out where Friends of NRA dinners are happening ...