Gun range fundraiser, raffle help fire district
Photo by TANNA YEOUMANS While some of the guns on this trailer were available to shoot, the majority of them were antiques and for display only.
Photo by TANNA YEOUMANS Community members came together on a hot July day to shoot guns and support the local fire department.
Both men and women competed in the friendly shooting competition. Photo by TANNA YEOUMANS
Photo by TANNA YEOUMANS This gun is being raffled off. The drawing will be at the county fair.
Photo by TANNA YEOUMANS This donated motorcycle will help the Boundary County Chaplain Corps supply their new relief vehicle.
BONNERS FERRY — Fun with guns in the sun at the Boundary County gun range brought community members together to shoot in a safe environment and support the North Bench Fire District.
There were a few raffles, one for a rifle, a couple for gift certificates, and one for a motorcycle, with proceeds helping to equip a relief truck. The truck is an old four wheel drive ambulance, and it will be used for firefighters and other first responders to rest, eat, drink, and recuperate on the field.
The rifle is down at Woody’s Gun and Pawn and the winner will be drawn at the Boundary County Fair. North Bench Fire will be at the fair also, selling raffle tickets for the rifle, at $2 each or three tickets for $5.
“The North Bench folks invited us to set up our booth up here, the Boundary County Chaplain Corps, today to raffle off this beautiful motorcycle. We are only selling 500 tickets for it and we have less that 200 to go,” said Boundary County Chaplain Len Pine. “We plan to raffle off the last day at the family fun night.”
The revamped ambulance will serve as an emergency scene support vehicle, and will provide responders during long term on scene scenarios with shelter, a place to rest, food, water, and charging stations for electronics.
“We will be able to go anywhere, where ever they are going, and be there to help them continue. We will serve any agency in north Idaho, whether its local, state, or federal,” said Pine.
Gun enthusiast, Craig Wheatley donated the use of a few guns for attendees to shoot for a price $5 for 5 rounds, or $25 for 25 rounds.
“We wanted to support the community, and my employees were in favor of supporting the fire department,” said Wheatley. “A gal that works for me is running the prize booth, I brought down some machine guns, and both my sons and other employees are out here helping, so if we can help make a little bit of money for the fire department and the board, it’s a good thing. North Idaho loves their guns and a good time.”
A lot of the community members and gun people came out and helped the participants as range officers, enforcing safety as well as assisting with targets and any other needs. There was a table set up in front of a roped off section at the far end of the range which helped ensure that the visitors were at a safe range and properly equipped with eye and ear protection.
“It’s all safe, it’s all legal, and it’s all fun, and we are helping make the fire department a little money, it’s a win win,” said Wheatley. “We’re just a bunch of men and women who like to shoot.”
There were several businesses in the area that donated time and resources to help the North Bench Fire District raise funds.
“There were so many businesses that contributed products or gift certificates,” said Wheatley. “When it comes from a small town like Bonners Ferry, backing the fire department, they gave one hundred percent.”
There was a small hill fire on the back hill set off by the gunfire. Luckily the field was full of firefighters, so it was extinguished quickly and the brush trimmed back to prevent any further incident.
With an outpouring of community support for the fire department and the opportunity to shoot a gun that one may have not had the opportunity to shoot before, attendees smiled and conversed with friends on a blistering hot Saturday.