Fundraiser Choice Raffle Saturday

By John Faucher

Just as the New Firefighters Association approached its fundraising goal for a new off-road rescue unit, COVID-19 put the country on hold.

By late spring, it became clear the association’s plans for its 2020 Outdoorsmen Bash fundraiser event either had to be canceled or drastically changed for public safety reasons.

New London Fire Captain Bernie Ritchie said members had seriously considered cancelling the 2020 fundraiser altogether.

“We were worried about covid and holding any kind of group event,” he said.

In previous years the annual Outdoorsmen Bash coincided with the association’s gun raffle drawing.

That was an in-person social event where people could gather and participate in basket raffles and other fundraising activities, in addition to purchasing their raffle tickets for the grand prize.

When decision time came last spring, members opted for holding a raffle only and to conduct a Facebook live drawing instead.

“Some of the guys felt if we quit, it would be a lot harder to get it going again,” he said.

So far tickets sales are down, but he’s hoping for a last minute push in sales by individual members.

Ritchie said the cancellation of other 2020 social events in New London, such as the Fall Family Festival, also seriously limited ticket sale opportunities for the association’s members.

“Right now, I’m just hoping that we can break even this year,” said Ritchie.

Folks can also drop by an outdoor sales table at the Fire Department this Saturday, Nov. 7, from 8 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.

The drawing will take place via Facebook live at 3 p.m. Saturday. You do not need to be present to win. Watch the drawing on www.facebook.com/NewLondonWisconsinFireDepartment/.

About the raffle

The Fundraiser Choice Raffle includes 11 hunting guns valued at over $10,000 and a grand prize choice of one; Ravin R-10 Cross Bow, or Hells Canyon Scope Package, or $1,500 cash.

Only a total of 2,500 tickets will be sold for the choice raffle.

Tickets are $10 each or three for $25.

Tickets are available from any firefighter, or all day Saturday outside the fire station. Tickets will also be available at Festival Foods through Friday, Nov. 6.

Deer stand raffle

Ritchie said a separate raffle for a $3,500 Redneck Buck Palace deer stand and platform will take place Saturday as well.

The stand is available for preview outside city hall and the fire station.

Only 400 tickets will be sold.

Tickets are $50 each.