New London Outdoorsmen Bash Saturday
By John Faucher
The New London Firefighters Association will host an “Outdoorsmen Bash” event at Crystal Falls Banquet Facility Saturday, Nov. 3.
Proceeds from the event will help purchase an off-road UTV for use in remote rescue and firefighting operations.
Jake Dishnow, president of the New London Firefighters Association, said they are about halfway to their fundraising goal of $50,000.
The association has been active in fundraising for the past six years.
The goal includes purchasing an enclosed trailer for hauling the UTV, and outfitting it for both rescue and fire suppression operations.
Currently the department uses a hand cart with bicycle tires for remote rescues.
“It’s not really practical or effective in situations where there’s not a lot of time to get someone out,” said Dishnow. “Especially since a lot of the geographic area we cover is wetlands.”
The UTV would be equipped with tracks for added mobility in soft or rough terrain conditions.
A boost in momentum
“This year the Shamrock Club of New Dublin donated $5,000 towards our goal and pledged another $5,000 for next year,” Dishnow said.
“That’s just an amazing donation and it’s been a huge boost for our campaign,” he added.
This year the firefighters association expanded its fundraising efforts to include a community celebration along with its annual gun raffle.
“We’re hoping to draw a lot more people and make it into a fun community event that folks can look forward to every year,” said Dishnow.
Additional raffle prizes
Dishnow said this year’s raffle will include a much wider range of prizes including power equipment, tools, gift certificate packages, basket raffles and useful household items.
The firefighters also purchased an additional six guns to give away during the event prior to the main raffle drawing at 9:30 p.m. Participants in the main raffle have a chance to win one of 14 hunting guns, and the grand prize winner’s choice of a Ravin R-10 crossbow, Franchi Instinct SL12/18 or $1,200 cash.
Dishnow said in the past, the association held an open house to coincide with its annual gun raffle and it was successful.
However, this year members wanted to expand the event to appeal to more people.
“Usually we had 15 guns on our main raffle,” said Dishnow.
“This year there are more prizes than ever before.”
If you go
Doors open at 6 p.m.
Admission is $10 at the door or free with the purchase of a main raffle ticket. Refreshments will be served throughout the night.
The band Nashville Pipeline will perform from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Ongoing table and bucket raffles begin at 6 p.m. The main raffle drawing starts at 9:30 p.m. Only 2,001 main raffle tickets will be sold.
All main raffle winners will have a choice to decline the gun and exchange it for a Scheels gift card of equal value.