Gun raffle proceeds to benefit hospital transportation

MARQUETTE — The Ahmed Shrine is holding its fifth annual gun raffle this weekend with proceeds going to a great cause.

The Masonic Center in downtown Marquette will be the place to be tomorrow afternoon as the Shriner’s raffle off a gun every six minutes, giving away a grand total of 50 guns. From shotguns to handguns, the raffle includes a variety of different firearms, courtesy of Wilderness Sports in Ishpeming.

This is the first year the Shriner’s are purchasing guns from Wilderness Sports as they usually partner with Gander Mountain, but the store recently went out of business. But, no matter where the firearms are coming from, the money is going to help the Shriner’s with an important mission.

“One of our main missions is to help support children with disabilities, get from the U.P. to Shriner’s hospitals, which is usually Chicago or Minneapolis,” said Ryan Engle, Chief Rabban. “We provide transportation funds for kids to come from wherever they live in the U.P. to go to whichever hospital they have to go see.”

Only 500 tickets have been sold so far, but you can still purchase yours for $50 up until the start of the event at noon tomorrow. All tickets do go back into the raffle, so there is a possibility of winning more than one gun.

There will also be food and drinks available with purchase of a ticket.