Accokeek, MD – New shooter recruitment and early exposure to the shooting sports under formal guidance are essential to preserving our Second Amendment rights and our national hunting heritage. Firearms training is also a major confidence booster to young people, and the skills and safety protocols learned in these formative years set the stage for a lifetime of responsible and enjoyable firearms use. These are among the many reasons why Benelli USA recently partnered with the Baltimore Area Council, Boy Scouts of America for the council’s Diamond Anniversary Capital Campaign.
The Baltimore Area Council, BSA developed this campaign to raise funds for capital range improvements at the 1,700-acre Broad Creek Memorial Scout Reservation in Whiteford, Maryland. The campaign’s goal was to raise $40,000 “to improve the shooting sports infrastructure to ensure every Scout has a positive experience in learning the safe handling of a firearm.”
To that end, Benelli USA stepped up with a $20,000 challenge grant, wherein Benelli matched contributions up to $20,000. Further, donors of $5,000 or more received a Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 shotgun for their gift to the campaign.
The Diamond Anniversary Capital Campaign proved to be a huge success, with Benelli’s product and matching gift challenge raising over $53,000 to build a new five-stand shotgun range at the Broad Creek Memorial Scout Reservation.
“The objective of our participation in the Baltimore Area Council, BSA campaign, as with several other philanthropic efforts we have recently been involved in, was to provide goodwill to some smaller groups that felt a significant financial strain during the COVID years,” said Tom DeBolt, Benelli USA General Manager. “While support for wildlife conservation and habitat improvement is a large focus for us, so is shepherding the next generation of shooters and hunting enthusiasts. While it may be a cliché, it is also true…the seeds we plant today will bear fruit tomorrow. And that is something we must never lose sight of.”
Kenn Miller, Scout Executive/CEO for the Baltimore Area Council said, “we are pleased to partner with Benelli in the continued development of our shooting sports program. We know that for many of our Scouts, their first exposure to shooting sports is during their time at Scout Camp. It is only through corporate partnerships such as this that we can keep the cost for a youth to attend summer camp low, while providing a first-class facility and experience for our Scouts.”
For more information on Benelli USA 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.
Benelli USA | 17603 Indian Head Highway | Accokeek, MD 20607 | BenelliUSA.com
Media Contact: Kim Cahalan, kim@mediadirectcreative.com
Office: (309) 944-5341
