It was strictly denim and diamonds on Saturday, May 31, as 150 people came together to celebrate the second annual Linda Shultz Charity Shoot and Barrett Ball benefiting the American Cancer Society.
All day long participants showed their support by shooting in shotgun and handgun competitions and signing up to fire legendary firearms like the Barrett .416 and the Smith and Wesson .500.
At night they convened at the house of Ronnie Barrett, founder of Barrett Firearms, one of the best-known producers of firearms around the world. Barrett, his wife Pat, and the Barrett Firearms headquarters are all located here in Murfreesboro.
Founded in 1982, when Barrett built the first hand-made prototype of what became the Model 82 shoulder-fired .50 caliber rifle, Barrett Firearms has constructed a steady reputation and legacy with their innovative firearms development and staunch support of the U.S. Military.
Overseas, military snipers carry Barrett guns.
This year Barrett joined up with local ACS members, expanding on last year’s charity shoot and opening up his home for an evening of fundraising.
“It was a huge success,” said Brian Gillespie with the American Cancer Society. “We were really happy with the event.”
Between the charity shoots and the evening ball with live and silent auctions, $67,000 was raised for the Tennessee chapter of the ACS. Auction items ranged from an American Paint Horse named Twin Pines Durango Darlin donated by country music legend Charlie Daniels, to tours of the Barrett Firearms facility, destination vacation packages and catered meals.
The money will help fund support programs for Tennessee cancer patients, educational programs, and important research that may some day lead to a cure.
Event namesake and cancer survivor Linda Shultz was on hand Saturday, competing with her .22 caliber Smith & Wesson in hand. Her husband was a former president and CEO with Smith & Wesson. I guess you could say Shultz knows which end of the gun to point.
“Linda was there the whole day,” Gillespie said. “She was individually ranked at 29 [out of 100 shooters competing at the event].”
Plans are in the works for next year’s ball, and Gillespie said the dressed-down atmosphere is a good fit here in Tennessee.
According to Gillespie, there is currently about $10 million worth of research being conducted by the ACS in Tennessee.
