San Diego County CA— The 5th annual Sheila Hamed Charity Handgun-Rifle Course, a four-day firearms instructional program that’s also a fundraiser for leukemia and lymphoma research, will be held from March 23 to 26 at the Front Site Firearms Training Institute in Pahrump, Nevada. Minimum donation to attend the four-day event is $250 per person. For registration information, visit www.CharityCourse.gives. Proceeds will benefit the “Be the Match Foundation,” a nonprofit that operates a marrow registry for people facing life-threatening blood cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma.

Organizer Lance Reeter of San Diego said more than 300 people are expected to attend this year’s fundraiser. Reeter said instructors with experience in law enforcement and military special forces training will teach attendees about shooting from a concealed holster in 1.7 seconds, tactical reloads and emergency reloads, hostage rescue shots, clearing malfunctions, breaching doors, mental awareness and the legal, moral and ethical ramifications of using lethal force. The event also will include giveaways of handguns, shotguns, rifles and ammo.
“Every gun owner thinks they know how to shoot, but very few actually, do,” said Reeter. “This event will teach individuals how to shoot and protect yourself and your family. In addition, we are encouraging people to support our fundraising efforts so we can fund more research and save more lives.”
In 2017, the 4th annual event drew 185 participants and raised $27,600 for the charity, said Reeter. Over the previous four years, the collective total raised for the charity exceeds $66,000, he said. The event is named after Reeter’s close friend Sheila Hamed, who passed away from leukemia at age 35 in 2012.