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One topic…Sportsman’s Raffle. In the history of Mizpah Shrine many mile markers have passed that ensured our future. From our original charter, through the buying of our original home on Berry Street, and most recently starting work on our future on Memorial Way, you can see the future by tracing our past. Our strength has always been looking for new ways to establish a strong foundation for Mizpah to stand on into the next 100 years. Fundraising has always played an important role in keeping our promise to the communities we live in and the children we serve. The Mizpah Shrine Circus is known throughout all of Shrinedom as being one of the best. This is only possible because the Nobles of Mizpah stand up and join together to make it a success.

Nobles, I once again call upon you to stand up and join all of Mizpah in supporting the Sportsman’s Raffle. On Saturday September 7th the Mizpah Shrine Center will be hosting our first ever Sportsman’s Raffle. This event runs from Noon until 5pm and will be held at the Shrine Horse Patrol Grounds on Highway 9 in Columbia City. This truly unique experience will be open to all Shriners as well as the general public. By purchasing a raffle ticket for $20 every participant will be eligible to win one, or more, of over 100 sporting guns or cash prizes. One raffle ticket will be drawn every three minutes over the course of the five hour event. You do not need to be present to win. If you do win a gun or cash prize, your name goes back in the ticket barrel for another chance. The $20 raffle ticket also includes all-you-can-eat hamburgers as well as refreshments. You read right. For $20 everyone who attends not only has a chance to win great prizes, but also can enjoy five hours of food and fun. Gates open at 11:00am and food and beverages start being served at noon. Must be 18 to attend.

From experience I can promise you the raffle tickets sell themselves. If you would like to help sell raffle tickets please contact the Mizpah Shrine office at 260-426-4543. Karen and Judy will be happy to help you with any questions. For every book of three you sell, you will receive a free ticket to be entered into the “seller’s raffle.” This raffle includes an additional 40 sporting guns as well as cash prizes. Remember, for every three you sell you are entered into this special raffle open only to ticket sellers.

If selling raffle tickets is not your thing we still need your help. We are expecting around 3,000 people to attend on September 7th. This means we need help parking cars, cooking, serving, checking people in, and many other jobs. Just like the circus, we will have “sit down” jobs as well as physical jobs. Remember your wives will be needed also. We will set up on Friday at Noon and then report at 9:00am Saturday to be assigned a job. As always, tearing down and cleaning up @ 5:00pm Saturday will be the biggest job. No matter how much time you can give that weekend we need you. Find me and I will help you get connected to a task. Please ask your club or your unit president how you are participating. There will be a special area set up for any club or unit who wishes to raffle off their own prize. All we ask is that two members man your booth and all other available personnel help with the event. Set up time for clubs and units is Saturday morning at 8:00am. This is a great chance to earn some extra funds for you while helping Mizpah.
Your Humble Servant,
Mike Hardiek, Potentate 2013