Culver High parents’ rifle raffle is far from unique

(Update: Others conduct similar fundraisers)

A hunting rifle raffle put on by the parents of the senior class at Culver High School isn’t the only such fundraiser going on in Central Oregon.

Many NewsChannel 21 viewers chimed in on social media, telling us more organizations across the region conduct similar fundraisers.

The “Rock of Redmond” wrestling club is raffling off a hunting rifle but is not promoting or selling tickets at any Redmond schools.

Rainier Butler, a spokesperson for the Redmond School District, told NewsChannel 21 the wrestling club fundraiser is not in any connected to the school district.

We also reached out to the Hawks Mat wrestling head coach in La Pine. His organization is selling raffle tickets for a Remington .45-caliber gun.

Greg Fargaglia said his wrestling club is focused on promoting community involvement, and the fundraiser helps raise money for equipment and tournaments.

Both sports clubs use school facilities to hold their practices.

Bend-La Pine Schools policy states any raffle tickets sold for non-district organizations must be approved by the superintendent before being sold at schools.

NewsChannel 21 reported on Wednesday parents of the senior class at Culver High are raising money for a drug and alcohol-free graduation party by raffling off a hunting rifle, a Browning AB3 composite stock with a scope.

Some people reached out to us this week, saying they feel the raffle item is inappropriate and insensitive because of the recent mass shootings and gun violence across the nation.

“I don’t agree with it, because it promotes more violence,” Daniel Sosa said.

One parent who didn’t want to go on camera told NewsChannel 21 the gun raffle is not new and other sports programs have done the same type of raffle in the past.

A school employee said the senior class has sold more than 400 raffle tickets, and these kind of raffles draw many people to buy tickets.

A flyer circulating on social media states the raffle winner must be 21 years old and go through a background check.

Josh Joseph said Wednesday the city of Culver has many people who are hunters and would be interested in purchasing raffle tickets.

“I think this gun raffle is a good idea. I think more people should have guns, it would probably cut down on crime. If everyone had a gun and I think people wouldn’t try to commit crimes,” Joseph said.

NewsChannel 21 reached out to the Culver High principal and Culver School District superintendent to see if there are any guidelines when it comes to raising money for school activities, but our calls and emails were not returned.