September 2024, Accokeek, Maryland – The Prince George’s Trap and Skeet Center in Glenn Dale, Maryland, roared to life on September 20, 2024, as the 10th Annual Benelli USA Invitational took center stage.
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This one-day sporting clays event drew in 164 competitive shooters, many of whom were military veterans, to join forces in support of a cause that resonates deeply with the values of courage, resilience, and adventure.
For the past decade, the Benelli USA Invitational has been more than just a premier shooting event—it’s been a call to action, a commitment to our nation’s warriors and their families. The purpose? To raise funds for the Freedom Hunters military outreach program, which has been creating life-changing outdoor experiences for our service members and their loved ones since 2006. This year, the Invitational and its parallel online auction raised an impressive $132,000 reinforcing the strong bond between the shooting sports community and the heroes who defend our freedoms.
“The Invitational is one of the most anticipated events of the year for our team at Benelli,” said Tom DeBolt, CEO of Benelli USA. “It’s a day that embodies the spirit of adventure and the bonds of camaraderie, all in support of a mission that deeply resonates with who we are. With nearly a quarter of our staff being military veterans, we are proud to stand behind Freedom Hunters and their commitment to giving back to the military community through transformative outdoor experiences.”
Freedom Hunters: Adventure with Purpose
Since its inception in 2006, Freedom Hunters has served over 14,000 veterans and their families, offering unique outdoor adventures in 46 of the 50 states and venturing into Namibia, Canada, and Mexico. In 2023 alone, Freedom Hunters planned 104 adventures for 1,015 veterans and family members—a monumental effort that required the dedication of over 300 volunteers who contributed a staggering 35,996 hours of service, valued at over $1.1 million.
The Benelli USA Invitational has been instrumental in supporting Freedom Hunters’ mission over the past decade, raising an incredible $922,000 for the cause. It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about the lives changed, the bonds forged, and the outdoor memories created.
A Salute to Our Sponsors
Benelli USA extends its deepest gratitude to all the sponsors and contributors who made the 10th Annual Benelli USA Invitational possible. Their unwavering support and generous donations of products and funds have directly impacted the Freedom Hunters mission, enabling more adventures for our nation’s heroes.
Sponsors include
5.11, 24.7 Hunt, Action Target, ALPZ Outdoors, American Business Solutions, Anderson Manufacturing, Angler’s Sports, Aquila-Intl, Banded, Barnes, Bayside Kubota, Bear and Son Cutlery, Benelli USA, Bentley-Scott Marketing, Bishop Ammunition & Firearms, Bob Hall Liquor and Drink, Boker USA, Boyt Harness, Brand Intelligent, Burris, Cabela’s/Bass Pro, Charles Jobes Decoy’s, Chesapeake Bay Beach Club, Chief Upland, Core Line Marketing, Covey Sales & Marketing, Crossbreed Holsters, Delta Waterfowl, Demerbox, Dryshod, Duck Commanders, Eastgate Liquors, ExpertVoice, Federal, Fiocchi, Franchi USA, Gator Coolers, Grayloon Marketing, GSM Outdoors, Habitat Flats, Hartford Mutual, High N’ Dry, Honey Brake, Hornaday, InstaPrivy, Jack Daniels, Jargon Calls, JB Displays, Kennedy Business Services, Kershaw Knives, Kolpin Outdoors, Legacy Ranch Tower Shoot, Lucky Duck, LWRCI, Magpul, Mantis, Media Direct, Meindl, MGW, Mickey Thompson Tires, Molly’s Place, MSP Design, Napa Valley Oil, Nine Runs/Level 5, Norma Ammunition, NSSF, Oakley, Owen J. Brown and Associates, PinPoint, Prime Street Grill, Pure Fishing, Purina, Real Avid, RealTree, Resistol, Sierra the Bulletsmiths, Silencer Central, Silver Stag Knives, SIMMS, Springfield Armory, Steiner Optics, Stoeger Industries, Streamlight, Tetra Hearing, The Fowllife, The High Adventure Company, The Oaks -Waterfront Hotel, Traditions Performance Firearms, Traeger Grills, TrueTimber, United Sportsmen’s Alliance, Vincent Pestilli & Associates, Vortex Optics, White Flyer, Wild Spirit, Wildlife Research, Wiley X, Williams Knives, Wingman Guide Service, Yeti Coolers.
This event is more than just sport—it’s a celebration of the courage and grit that define America’s fighting spirit. We honor all who participate and support, and we look forward to continuing this powerful tradition of giving back.
To learn more about Freedom Hunters, visit https://freedomhunters.org/.
For more information on Benelli USA’s full line of premium shotguns and centerfire hunting rifles, visit BenelliUSA.com.
About Benelli
Benelli, headquartered in Accokeek, Maryland, offers the largest selection of semi-automatic shotguns in the world, as well as a variety of rifles. Since the company’s inception, Benelli has led the world in innovative firearm technology, including the ground-breaking Benelli Inertia Driven system, effective Comfort Tech recoil-reduction systems, and the BE.S.T. anti-corrosion coatings. Because of this commitment to innovation, they are recognized as the world’s leading manufacturer of premium firearms for competitive shooters, hunters, and defense professionals.
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