With the constant attacks on the Second Amendment at nearly every level of government, sometimes our news coverage tends to be on the contentious side. That’s why it’s great when we have some good news to share.
The good news this time comes from our friends at Henry Repeating Arms, the world’s leading lever-action firearms manufacturer. The Rice Lake, Wisconsin, based company announced on Thursday that it has released a limited-edition series of 50 special lever-action rifles to raise funds for the family of a 10-year-old Florida girl who is battling leukemia.
In December 2022, Baylee Rish of Wewahitchka, Florida, was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a rare aggressive form of blood and bone marrow cancer. Treatment is intense, with some weeks consisting of up to four consecutive days of chemotherapy treatment, spinal tap chemo injections and spinal bone marrow sampling. And there are still more medical challenges to come as her course of treatment runs through March 2025.
Henry Repeating Arms Founder and CEO Anthony Imperato said his company is very happy to be able to play a part in helping Baylee and her family.
“There are few things in the world more unfair than a childhood cancer diagnosis,” Imperato said in a press release announcing the donation. “To endure what these kids go through during treatment and still be able to crack a smile that lights up the room is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The opportunity to help these families is a part of our business that I deeply cherish, and I’m sending a big hug to Baylee and her family.”
According to Imperato, the “Team Baylee” rifles are available exclusively through Henry’s website, with all proceeds given to the Rish family to help offset mounting insurance copays and out-of-pocket expenses associated with traveling 2.5 hours each way for treatment. Additionally, the first and last rifles in the collection—TEAMBAYLEE01 and TEAMBAYLEE50—are up for action on Gun Broker to allow collectors the chance to enhance the fundraising effort.
The auction will close at 9 p.m. Eastern time on August 7. Total proceeds from the rifle series are expected to top $40,000.
The “Team Baylee” rifles are built on the award-winning Golden Boy Silver .22 with features including a nickel-plated receiver cover, barrel band and butt plate, a 20-inch blued steel octagon barrel and genuine walnut furniture with artwork inspired by Baylee’s life. Her love of animals and her desire to be a dolphin trainer when she grows up takes center stage with a bottlenose dolphin diving out of a wave and over the words “Team Baylee.”
Blake Rish, Baylee’s father, said the family is very grateful for the help Henry is lending them during this trying time.
“Our family would like to thank the team at Henry sincerely,” he said. “Your kindness and generosity are unbelievable and have brought us to tears many times throughout the process. To all of the amazing people buying and bidding on these rifles, I truly hope we cross paths one day so we can personally hug your neck and say thank you.”
Read the full article here
