Rifle Raffle

SHOULD A KIDS' FOOTBALL ORGANIZATION RAISE MONEY BY RAFFLING OFF RIFLES?

meljosad — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 02:47:12 GMT

In addition to a $50 registration fee, the Greenwood-Newport Midget Football Association expects parents to raise $130. Their primary fundraiser is a rifle raffle. A $10 dollar ticket gives the purchaser a chance to win one of 31 rifles, or a cash alternative. Is this appropriate?

Rifle Raffle

rotty — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:53:17 GMT

Sounds to me that every single parent in Perry/Juniata needs to focus on something else that is important. How about education? Sports isn't everything and sports will not pay for their future in the world. Not that I have a problem with the Rifle raffle, however the Association needs to ask their selves this question. "Is it necessary to raffle off a Rifle, or should we only raffle off the ATV?"
Yes, this is America and we do have the right to bare firearms, however how many deaths/shootings involve children in the US? Why add to it? If someone in Perry/Juniata County REALLY needs a Riffle to kill an innocent animal let them buy it with their own money and on their own time. Another question for the Association... Where did you receive the funds to purchase the 31 Rifles you're raffling off?

In response to another parents statement regarding keeping the kids out of trouble. That's your job as a parent NOT the a football organization.

P.S. After reading some of the replies it's obvious there is a GREATER need to focus on Education in your area.

How to get tickets...

GNMFA mom — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:13:48 GMT

If anyone is interested in buying these "controversial" tickets, we will be selling them at both the Perry and Juniata County Fairs this year. If you are unable to make it to either of those events, you are welcome to stop by any of our games or practices. We hold practices Monday-Thursday, 6-8 pm at our River Field near Millerstown. From Route 22/322, take the Millerstown exit. From westbound, turn left at the stop sign. From eastbound, turn right at the stop sign. Our field is approximately 1/2 mile from the exit. As soon as you pass the sewage treatment plant on the right, the field entrance is the very next driveway on the right.

Thank you to all of you who have shown support. We get tired of being criticized and dragged through the mud by ignorant people who have nothing better to do than try to start trouble for others. Some people just have too much time on their hands. If they would only bottle that energy and put it toward something positive, rather than creating problems for others...

Rifle Raffle

dkcwobel — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 19:46:24 GMT

I have two children involved with the GNMFA. The Board consists of a few dedicated parents and grandparents who have poured buckets of sweat and tears into OUR kids.

I have been involved with many different fundraisers over the years. The rifle raffle is the easiet for parents. Let's face it... it's the parents who generally sell the stuff anyway; regardless of what's being sold. We've sold oodles of sandwiches/subs/pizzas. Then you have to often make the sandwiches, etc-- then you have to figure out how to deliver them tyring to make sure they don't spoil or thaw.

I have sold many tickets to folks who just want to support the association. They're not hunters or gun collectors at all. They just love that they don't have to eat stale sandwiches or buy another knick-knack from a catalogue of what is basically junk. They give $10 and receive a ticket. Not a big investment if they should not win anything. But a small price to pay for the chance at the rifles or $$ CASH $$-- not to mention the several thousand dollar ATV with trailer.

This is NOT the first year for the raffle... yet there has been no issues in the past. The issue is that the association instituted the "buy-out" this year and many parents who would typically not participate in any fundraiser at all are now liable for additional fees if they choose not to participate in this or their own fundraiser. It isn't fair that some parents always donate their time to the association-- FOR OUR KIDS... are the same parents who do their best to sell whatever fundraiser is chosen--again -- FOR THE KIDS!!!!! If the GNMFA isn't able to continue to raise the kind of money needed to not only sustain the current level of the association but to also grow the association; then we might as well hand our equipment in now.

I'm not sure if this has been posted yet but these tickets can be purchased at any of our practices which are held Monday - Thursday evenings from 6pm - 8pm. There will also be tickets for sale at a booth showcasing the ATV at the Perry County Fair in Newport August 19 - 23.

Please support our GROWING association!!!!!!!!!

Rifles are the best raffle prizes EVER!!!

texasaggie1 — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 22:25:34 GMT

I think it is a great idea. We might start doing it in my kids athletic association. I would buy ten if a parent would PM me.

raffle ticket

aes72 — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:11:46 GMT

I have 2 children that are involved with this organization and have been so since it started. Its really sad that these few parents would dare talk bad about the program that obviously isn't so bad that they don't take there child somewhere else. I wish that before people criticize our board they try being on it for a year and see how hard of work it is. I want to amend the GNMFA organization and thank them for doing whatever they need to do so my kids can enjoy this awesome program!!! GO BUFFS!!!

PS. I have 40 raffle ticket for sale if interested meet me @ the feild!! Thanks!!

gun raffle

dani11d — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 03:32:57 GMT

i am a parent of the the association and do not have a problem with the raffle to the parents that do how about not sitting on the bleachers that we recently purchased and why all the sudden a parent has a problem with the raffle when you have been with the association for your 2nd year in a row lets remember why were here and lets congradulate the coaches and board members for a great job their doing im happy my children are off the streets staying out of trouble even if us parents have to help to do this by selling a ticket GO BUFFALOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Youth Football Gun rafle

jstine — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:27:54 GMT

You forgot to state that the winners have the option of taking the cash equivelent of the firearm instead of the firearm itself. It should also be noted that the firearms are not just handed to the winners. They pick them up at a licensed firearms dealer and are required to pass a PICS check just as if they bought the firearm themselves, prior to receiving the firearm.

With this in mind the kids are simply selling rafle tickets to support their sport. They are in no way selling firearms. Simply selling a chance to win, does not hurt anyone and as I stated there are checks and balances in place to prevent a firearm from getting into the hands of someone who should not have or is not allowed to possess a firearm.

Leave the league alone. Hoagies and sandwiches apparently don't cut it when it comes to fund raising. If the person complaining has a better idea, get more involved and help them find the money needed.

J. Stine, Perry County resident

Thanks for volunteering

responsibleDad — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:01:52 GMT

Okay let's review:

1 It's America. Some core principles are The Right to Bear Arms and Capitalism. (Let's throw in the right to simply opt out without forcing your beliefs on others.)

2 The kids need support from somewhere.

3 It's PA. What does the community support? Kids, Football, Hunting

4 Solution of some hard working volunteers: Raffle guns to provide the experience of a lifetime to a hunter who could win or be gifted a gun, money, or atv. Give the experience of footbal to the kids.

5 The kids aren't carry samples are they?

If someone doesn't like the solution, they can give cash OR volunteer and get the kids some other type of support.
If someone doesn't like the fees, they can wait for free programs like those through the schools OR volunteer and get the kids some other type of support.

I would bet the responses here will overwhelming support the kids, football, hunters, community and the volunteers. Those are some common beliefs around here.

Should kids rafle guns?

Deer Hunter — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:57:54 GMT

Why not? Although anyone can purchase the $10 ticket, all winners must pass the background check that is done when the firearm is picked up. The Perry/Juniata county areas are very big on hunting and other types of gun sports. Maybe the idea that 95% of all Perry/Juniata county homes have at least one firearm, keeps crime to a minium. I thank you very much for advertising this rafle for the kids. I know you have helped the team sell more tickets. I know I will go out today and purchase one or two.

re:GNMFA raffle

kineen — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 04:11:59 GMT

Just wanted to post some facts that may not have been included in broadcast:

Parents who are unhappy about selling the raffle tickets to raise their share of the money needed for each child to participate have been urged repeatedly to attend monthly board meetings.

They have not .

They have also been encouraged to, separately or collectively, have their own fundraiser to raise funds. To the best of my knowledge, no attempts were made to do so.

Our family is thankful for all of the people who so unselfishly give their time to make this program possible for our area's youth. We have nothing but good things to say about this organization and the people who run it.

Our child is learning much more than a sport. He is learning discipline, loyalty, teamwork and respect.

Thanks to your network for airing a much deserved positive segment about the Greenwood-Newport Midget Football Asociation. GO BUFFS!!!!!!!