Posts, departments finding success with pistol raffles

Selling chances on The American Legion Centennial Pistol has proven to be quite the fundraiser for Legion posts, departments and more across the country.

Available since last summer, the pistols are really works of art, developed by Legion-approved licensee A&A Engraving of Rapid City, S.D. There is a separate department and post version, both featuring the Legion’s 100th Anniversary logo, a World War I doughboy and active-duty servicemember with flags from each era, and more. Both cost less than $3,000.

Project Manager Mark Smith commented that when it comes to fundraising efforts, “There are no set rules on what they’re doing …. Everyone’s different.” He said that many were purchased in January and February, to be raffled off at this summer’s department conventions and some possibly after that. Among the success stories:

• Post 500 in Speedway, Ind., made $6,000 of profit on their 2-for-$10 raffle, drawn in February.

• The South Dakota American Legion Foundation sold 600 $20 tickets before their drawing at the department convention in June.

• According to Convention Commission Chairman and National 100th Anniversary Observance Committee member Mike Walton, Post 32 in Springfield, Ill. – Walton’s post – had covered its expenses with $10 tickets well before their drawing in July, which ultimately drew a profit of $3,000. A previous gun raffle, conducted in 2012, also netted the post $3,000.

For more information about raffle possibilities, contact Smith at auguns@hotmail.com, or click here.