Smith & Wesson Big Game Dinner Benefits USO

by
posted on March 6, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Smith & Wesson sold out its inventory. No, not guns: We’re talking food here, specifically game dishes. The company’s 2014 Big Game Dinner drew more than 500 guests with dishes like carved elk roasts, wild boar sweet sausages and Cajun-style catfish. The dinner was a sell-out, as it has been for several years now.

Moved by the tasty morsels and a call to action, Smith & Wesson employees and dinner volunteers and attendees donated $35,000 at the event, which will be given to two deserving institutions in the region where Smith & Wesson does business: the Pioneer Valley United Services Organization (USO) and the Chicopee Comprehensive High School. Members of the U.S. armed forces and their families will benefit from $25,000 donated to USO social, recreational, educational and entertainment programs and services. A $10,000 donation to the Chicopee school will be used to support its culinary scholarship.

Meals were prepared with 1,900 pounds of wild game meat donated specifically for the event. The kitchen was led by chef Norm Boucher from the Chicopee Comprehensive High School culinary department. Besides Norm, 65 other volunteers logged more than 560 hours over three days to make the event a success.

“Each year the Smith & Wesson staff, along with the talented chefs from the Chicopee Comprehensive High School, continue to amaze and delight attendees with what is truly a rare dining experience,” said Smith & Wesson President and CEO James Debney. “This event is a success each year, thanks to the dedication of many volunteers and generous contributions from our co-sponsors, vendors and sportsmen.”

Sounds like Smith & Wesson has a thing going on. I know, I know, they’re not the only ones doing this kind of thing across the country. But ya gotta admit anybody who can bring to bear the size and prowess of a company like Smith & Wesson is capable of great things, like helping our troops via the USO.

Latest

W H2026 04 F Hog Texas Graves 425888
W H2026 04 F Hog Texas Graves 425888

Texas, Hogs and Thermals

Follow along as Brian McCombie indulges in his favorite trio: Texas, hogs and thermals.

New for 2026: Real Avid AR-15/AR-10 Master Collections

Real Avid has taken its AR-15 and AR-10 tooling and maintenance products and bundled them into anew Master Collections series, providing AR-platform fans with one-stop solutions to meet their specific AR needs.

Turkey Decoys All Season Long

Opening day of turkey season was rainy and cold. However, thanks to scouting and trail cameras, Scott Haugen had a plan. Matter of fact, from the first day to the last, Scott has a way to set the decoys to bring the birds in. Curious? Read on for some great strategies.

New for 2026: Hornady .223 WSSM and .243 WSSM Superformance Varmint

Hornady has announced the availability of .223 WSSM 55-grain V-Max and .243 WSSM 75-grain V-Max loads in the Superformance Varmint line.

#SundayGunday: Benelli M4 EXT

On this week's #SundayGunday, we’re checking out a true stalwart of the firearms world, the Benelli M4. Long held in high regard by concerned citizens looking for a pedigreed self-defense shotgun, quite a few have been plugged to reduce capacity, and used in the turkey woods over the years, as a true multi-purpose scattergun. Why? Well, as it turns out, there is very little that separates a good defensive shotgun from a good turkey gun. Learn more about it in this exclusive video.

Roundup: Turkey Guns & Gear

Check out our roundup of the best new turkey guns and gear in 2026.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.