Gun Auction for Project ValourIT

http://www.theguncounter.com/forum/view ... =29&t=2254
http://anarchangel.blogspot.com/2008/11 ... e-for.html
http://soldiersangels.org/index.php?pag ... -valour-it

For those who don't know about this charity:

Valour IT buys laptop computers, and accessibility accessories for wounded soldiers. Be they wounded in combat or training, if they need a laptop, and Valor IT has the money, they're getting a laptop and everything they need to make it work.

...If they have the money.

So far, Valour IT has raised enough to give over 1500 laptops to our wounded soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines; but there are more wounded men and women that could use our help.

So, just to keep this in the military spirit (and to use our rivalry to best effect), they have an annual interservice fundraising drive; with teams from and supporting each of the services competing to raise the most cash for the cause.

One should note, all the money ends up being used for ALL service members; the money raised by the Air Force team doesn't go only to Airmen. It's just a way of having a little fun while raising money for a good cause.

This is a standard, tax deductible charitable donation, and I can't imagine a better cause. All my charitable giving for the last two years, and for the foreseeable future (excepting that going to my parish), is going to Valour IT; and I ask you to please help in any way you can.

The details of the auction:

Last year, In order to add a little extra incentive to the Project Valour-IT fundraising challenge; and I had a reverse auction for a pistol.

Last year we auctioned an FEG PA-63, which is a perfectly decent little pistol; but not exactly a world beater.

We managed to raise about $5,000 through our little part of the challenge; and this year we need even more money, in less time, so I decided to up the ante a bit.

This year, we're auctioning off a SIG P6.

So, this is how it works. Anyone who donates to ANY of the teams during the fundraiser, send me a copy of your PayPal donation receipt for at least $150 (which I will verify with the folks at Soldiers Angels); and the person who donates the most, will win one of these, along with 2 magazines, a holster, and a set of custom wood grips:


I was going to refinish it, and put a set of night sights on it, but there was such vehement disagreement as to what finish to use, and what sights to put on it, that I decided to just leave it up to the winner.

The pistol the winner receives will be a former west german police issue pistol. It is in arsenal rebuilt condition, and was purchase from J&G sales, with a two magazines, a box, original paperwork, and a West German Motor Officers holster.

Obviously, due to the wonderful ATF, unless you are in Arizona, this pistol will need to be transferred from my FFL to yours; but I will cover the shipping. If you happen to live in Arizona I will handle this as a private transfer. Unfortunately for you crufflers out there, these pistols are not C&R eligible.

I hate to limit the pool of potential winners, but I'm not sure if this would be legal to transfer to someone in California and Massachusetts (because they have "approved" lists), or any of the states that require a special permit for every pistol you purchase (New Jersey and Hawaii for example); but it doesn't have any of the nasty "assault weapon" features that would get it banned in some states . If it is legal, hey great; ask your FFL to make sure.

Also note, this pistol would not be received from, transferred from, or won from Valour IT or soldiers angels; it would be coming from me, Chris Byrne.

This is my PERSONAL incentive to anyone who supports a charity I also support.

No-one at Valour IT or Soldiers Angels is in any way involved in this little giveaway. So, if some anti-gun lunatic wants to get all pissy, they can come talk to me about it, not Valour IT.

To be clear, I am not involved, just supportive.

Toys for Tots

Just in time for the holidays, there is a charity round-up!

A group of Minnesota gun owners are putting together a Toys For Tots drive. Details here. Donations can be made directly using this Paypal link.

A woman was robbed and beaten in St. Paul. She has cancer and a host of other problems. Local gun enthusiasts and instructors are putting together training, holsters, and a firearm to help her avoid this in the future. Details here. Donations can be made via Paypal.

Last, but not least, a national forum is organizing a care package drive for its deployed members. Details here.

Homes For Our Troops

Army SGT. Marcus Kuboy

Woodbury, MN

SGT Marcus Kuboy joined the Minnesota National Guard 3 years ago and since joining has been on active duty for most of that time. In March, 2007, Marcus was wounded in a humvee explosion while serving in Iraq.

His multiple wounds consist of both of his legs being damaged to the point where he can walk only for short periods of time and only with assistance of a walker. The rest of the time, Marcus relies on a wheelchair. He also suffered TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), broken arm, back and jaw are among the many injuries he has suffered.

After spending months at Walter Reed Medical Center recovering, he continues to work on his rehabilitation in a VA Rehabilitation center in St. Paul. With the help of CUNA, National Journal and Co-Op Financial Services, Homes for Our Troops will be building Marcus a home where he can live a more independent life and focus on his future.

Thank you to everyone who has supported SGT Kuboy's new home!

Marc Kuboy is a good friend of a good friend, and a great guy to spend time with. Yesterday, amid much fanfare, he was presented a home, custom built to meet his needs. It was very moving.

Today, I set up a monthly donation to Homes For Our Troops, to help make sure they can continue to help our wounded vets.

Food Donation Challenge

I find myself a team leader in a food donation challenge for a local gun board. I'm really not sure how that happened, but so be it.

There are two teams, self-selected. Each team will donate food or cash(to be converted to food), and the team with the most donation, by weight, at the end of June, wins bragging rights, and the right to choose the food shelf to receive the donation.

Scary gun guys, feeding the hungry.

Details here, if you're interested.