Benelli USA Invitational Marks a Decade of Helping Veterans and Their Families

The Prince George’s Trap and Skeet Center in Glenn Dale, Md., roared to life on Sept. 20, when the 10th Annual Benelli USA Invitational took center stage. The one-day sporting clays event drew 164 competitive shooters—many of them 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 to raise funds for the Freedom Hunters military outreach program. The organization 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 $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.”

Since its inception, Freedom Hunters has served more than 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, it 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 more than $1.1 million.

The Benelli USA Invitational has been instrumental in supporting Freedom Hunters’ mission over the past decade, raising $922,000 for the cause.