The recent guest list for Friends of the National Rifle Association annual fund-raising dinner wasn’t limited to members only.

Children, spouses and Mineral County community members at large were invited to sit down for a dish of prime ribs and bid in the auctions that followed, said Kenn Brown, committee chairman for the Mineral County Friends of the NRA.

“It’s a family-type deal,” Brown said.
In all, Brown said 99 adults attended the dinner, held at the Old School Enterprises Building Thursday. The event raised “a little over $4,000,” Brown said.

Half the proceeds from this year’s dinner will be donated to the national foundation of the NRA, Brown said. The other half stays in Montana and funds a variety of grants including: the Mineral County 4-H Shooters, Refuse to be a Victim, range development projects, and promotion of gun safety among children with the Eddie Eagle Program.

Every year, NRA members travel to Helena to decide grant amounts for various organizations.

Brown said the annual dinner provides the community an opportunity to come together and show their support for a non-political arm of the NRA.

The evening was a mixture of class and casual. Brown said jackets and ties weren’t required, but the table were decorated with white table clothes.

The night started with a social hour before dinner was served, Brown said. Dinner started at 7 p.m. and special raffle prizes were distributed. The night closed with both a silent auction and live auction, Brown said.

Auction items included art work, sculptures and a noteworthy Kimber dubbed “Gun of the Year.” Browns aid the Kimber alone brought in over $800.

The next Mineral County Friends of the NRA dinner is scheduled for Sept. 28, 2006, Brown said.