In 2015, Benelli USA partnered with Freedom Hunters, a 501(c) 3 organization dedicated to helping veterans and active military members, to kick off the first-ever Benelli USA Invitational clay-court sporting event. Since then, the Benelli Invitational has played a key supporting role in Freedom Hunters’ efforts to provide select active duty and combat veterans, their families and Gold Star family members with therapeutic outdoor adventures and, often life-changing.
On October 7, 2022, Benelli USA and Freedom Hunters held the 7th Annual Benelli USA Invitational at Prince George’s Trap and Skeet Center in Glenn Dale, Maryland. The Invitational attracted 152 shooters and 57 corporate sponsors who, combined with on-site volunteers and an online auction supported by the outdoor enthusiast public, raised $132,000 for this year’s event.
Proceeds from the Benelli Invitational will go towards Freedom Hunters’ ongoing mission to positively impact the lives of current and former military service members and their families, and especially at-risk veterans facing serious challenges in life.
“The Benelli Invitational is one of our most anticipated corporate events,” said Tom DeBolt, General Manager of Benelli USA. “Freedom Hunters presents a mission that touches closely and is one that our organization fully supports. We want to thank all of the volunteers who helped make this year’s event a resounding success and thank the public and many corporate sponsors involved who are equally dedicated to improving the lives of those who have given so much for all of us.”
Shooting participants were divided into teams for the event, with Team Nielsen taking first place with a score of 268. The best overall shooter of the day was Andrew Napier with a score of 74. After the day’s competition, Tom DeBolt of Benelli USA (General Manager), Tim Joseph (VP of Brand and Product Marketing), Laurie Gardiner (Digital Marketing Manager), and Gretchen Helm (Financial Controller) presented Freedom Hunters Founder and CEO Anthony Pace with a check for $132,000.
“The generous giving of time and financial support from everyone involved in this year’s Benelli Invitational is humbling,” said Freedom Hunters’ Anthony Pace. “As members of the organization, we work every day on our goal to support veterans and their families, and achieve maximum efficiency with every dollar we receive. The ability to work shoulder to shoulder with corporate sponsors at events like this and to see the enthusiasm and dedication that everyone, including online auction participants, put into manifesting our work behind the scenes is extremely uplifting. The veterans and families who directly benefit from these jobs are especially appreciative because sometimes it literally saves lives.”
Thanks to our sponsors for the invitation of Benelli USA 2022
Title Sponsors
- Federal Premium Ammo
- Habitat Floors
- honey brake
- Steiner
gold sponsors
- Rolling thunder game calls
- benelli united states
- Burris
- main marketing line
- Vincent Pestilli and Associates
- Owen J. Brown and Associates
- Covey Sales and Marketing
- Bentley-Scott Marketing
silver sponsors
- Franchi
- Osceola Providers
- covered
- Mickey Thompson Tires
- Hornady
- black rain artillery
- tetra
- LWRCI
- CalmKat
- Maverick Suppliers
- Green Cup Fishing and Hunting
Bronze Sponsors
- Stoeger Industries
- duck commanders
- lucky duck
- springfield armory
- Vortex
- branley gilbert
- Ringed
- kershaw knives
- treager grills
- GatR
- slang calls
- jack daniels
- MEAT!
- Napa Valley Olive Oil
- endurance
- AAB beef
- Thorogood Boots
- FlaskKap
- Oakley
- DemerBox
- Bass Pro Shops
- SEVR Broadheads
- gsm outdoor
- rock river arms
- Bear & Sons Cutlery
- sig sauer
- Innovations of the Roth concept
- Cobra Tech Knives
- real wood
- High Fuel / Carroll
- tidal water inn
- Bushnell
- buck knives
- black hawk
- action target
- yeti
- Big Al’s Lure
- Standard Ammunition
- outdoor BIS
- royal tree
- chuck gittings
- John of Palm
- gray spine
- James Clemons
To find out how you can support Freedom Hunters, visit FreedomHunters.org.
For more information on Benelli premium shotguns and centerfire hunting rifles, visit BenelliUSA.com.
About Benelli
Headquartered in Accokeek, Maryland, Benelli offers the world’s largest selection of semi-automatic shotguns, as well as a variety of rifles. Since the company’s inception, Benelli has led the world in innovative firearm technology, including the innovative Benelli Inertia Driven system, effective Comfort Tech recoil reduction systems and BE.ST 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.