NORWICH – The local chapter of Friends of the National Rifle Association (NRA) will officially kick-off its 2011 fundraising campaign with the second annual Trailblazers banquet, from 5 to 10 p.m. on May 20 at the Norwich American Legion, 29 Sheldon St.

Tickets for the event are now on sale, as are tickets for the Trailblazers’ annual “Gun of the Year” raffle, according to local Friends of the NRA chairperson David Francis.

Established in 1992, the Friends of the NRA fundraising program benefits a number of shooting safety, hunting safety and educational programs, as well as environmental conservation projects, youth programs and range development, stated Francis.

Since its inception, the program has held over 12,000 events, raising over $162 million, half of which was allocated to fund projects on the state level. A portion of the money raised by the organization returns to the local level as well, added Francis, over $6,000 in NRA grants last year.