Basin Electric donation helps marksman compete again

The loud pop of rifles echoes across the Fried Family Marksmanship Complex in Moffit, North Dakota, as 79-year-old Garald Gillies takes aim at a target 800 yards away. A few seconds after each shot, the results appear on a digital app held by his friend and fellow sportsman, Tim Morrell.

Gillies, a retired employee of Dakota Gas, a subsidiary of Basin Electric, participated in the Bismarck-Mandan Rifle and Pistol Association long-range rifle competition on Friday, Sept. 5. Over the weekend event, he won the gold medal in the unclassified, expert, and sharpshooter relays, taking first place in every relay over the weekend – with a total of 972.31 points out of 1,000.

But what made this win truly special wasn’t just his score, it was the fact that Gillies was able to compete at all.

After losing his left leg to complications from diabetes, Gillies could no longer shoot from the prone position typically required by the National Rifle Association (NRA). Morrell, a fellow Basin Electric retiree, applied for an NRA long-range shooting waiver, providing a formal accommodation that allows competitors with physical disabilities to use adaptive equipment or alternate shooting positions. Once the waiver was approved, Morrell reached out to Basin Electric’s Charitable Giving Program for help acquiring the specialized table and stool, enabling Gillies to continue competing alongside his peers.

For Gillies, the support means more than medals, it’s about friendship, community, and perseverance. “If it wasn’t for Basin Electric, I wouldn’t be here competing today,” Gillies says. “It’s given me the opportunity to participate and stay active in a sport I love.”

Morrell says the donation does more than help one shooter, it opens the door for others who may need accommodations to join the sport.

“This table allows anyone with the proper waiver to compete,” Morrell explains. “Garald’s success shows that accessibility and excellence can go hand in hand.”

Jennifer Holen, Basin Electric Charitable Giving coordinator, says supporting accessibility in outdoor recreation reflects the cooperative’s values.

“Basin Electric is honored to support accessibility in outdoor recreation by funding the purchase of a shooting table,” she says. “This ensures individuals with disabilities can fully participate and enjoy the sport.”

To learn more about long-range shooting or how to join the Bismarck-Mandan Rifle and Pistol Association, visit bmrpa.org.