Enthusiastic crowd at Friends of NRA banquet

Saturday night, the Days Inn was the site for the 10th annual Friends of the NRA Banquet. Though the number of attendees was down, with about 115 attending compared to 130 and even up to more than 160 in previous years, Cynthia Garbin said the crowd was plenty enthusiastic.

Garbin said people really seemed to enjoy themselves and the live auction went really well this year. The gun of the year, a Daniel Defense M4 Carbine, went for $1,400, and there were several nice pieces that everyone was really excited about.

The roses sold out for the Ladies Rose event as well, Garbin said. Those who purchased roses for special ladies were entered into a drawing for a gun chosen with a woman in mind. Garbin further added she put a lot of effort in selecting a firearm, a Walther CCT.

Overall, the event grossed $41,000. That money helps pay for scholarships for local organizations, and a highlight of the evening for Garbin was presenting the checks to scholarship recipients, 4-H Shooting Sports and the Thermopolis Clay Cutters Scholastic Clay Target Program.

Garbin said it was nice to come out and support the Friends of the NRA and the Second Amendment, and she looks forward to continuing the annual banquet.