For the Arkansas Valley Friends of NRA banquet held October 3 in Russellville, Arkansas, there seemed to be challenges at every turn. However, all the challenges seemed to disappear as Chairman Mike Wilkins, Treasurer Chuck New, along with State Treasurer Brenda Donaldson and Arkansas Field Representative Mike Nevins came together to ensure there were enough sponsors, “Big Shooters,” and committee members running the event, making it the most successful yet!

With only 100 people in attendance, the committee raised over $16,500, a 52 percent increase over last year’s net income. “While attendance at the event was modest, the committee sold 38 Big Shooter packages before the event, a huge contributing factor to its success,” said Nevins.

What is a Big Shooter package? It is a $100 pre-event purchase, which includes one regular dinner ticket, $160 in bucket raffle tickets, and one entry on a drawing for a Smith & Wesson Sigma 40 Cal. “Attendees were pleased by the firearms on the bucket raffle,” Nevins said. “And raffle hostess, Nikita, sold and upgraded about $5,000 at the dinner.”

Also contributing to the success of the event was how each committee member served as a specific key person. Chairman Mike Wilkins served as sponsorship sales keyperson, selling 33 Liberty, one Freedom, and one Kimber levelsponsorships. Treasurer Chuck New was the facility key person as he made sure all the arrangements for the facility, tables, chairs and all other small details were ironed out to make the event run smoothly. Arkansas State Treasurer and Area Volunteer of the Year, Brenda Donaldson, manned the treasurer table. With their combined efforts and the efforts of the rest of the committee, there is no doubt they will continue raising essential funds for Arkansas’ shooting sports organizations for years to come.