New York Shuts Down the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department’s Annual Corvette Raffle

By
Keith Cornett
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5
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New York Shuts Down the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department's Annual Corvette Raffle


Over the years, we covered various Corvette raffles and fundraisers by both for-profit and non-profit organizations. As raffles are covered by state laws and since most states consider raffles as “gaming”, it really depends on the individual state as to how those raffles are conducted.

Unfortunately, many of these laws are antiquated and have not kept up with the advances in technology and the internet which can extend an organization’s ability to raise funds outside of the state.

We’ve previously covered one of these raffles in the State of New York by the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department. For over 70 years, the local fire department in Stafford, NY has operated a carnival and raffle to raise funds for the community. These funds have purchased fire trucks, emergency equipment and have even been used to build local parks and recreational areas for area residents.

The Stafford Volunteer Fire Department was set to offer a Nassau Blue 1965 Corvette Sting Ray Convertible for this year’s fundraiser and had already begun selling tickets when the New York Gaming Authority was “alerted” to the raffle by a “whistleblower” and shut it down as their license only allowed them to sell tickets within their own county.

The long standing New York State law governing raffles apparently doesn’t allow for tickets to be sold online or paid with a credit cards. Now the volunteers must return the funds donated for this year’s raffle and cancel the annual summer carnival as well since it was paid for through the proceeds of raffle donations.

New York Shuts Down the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department's Annual Corvette Raffle
Charlie Snook wins a 1965 Corvette in the 2013 Corvette Raffle by the Stafford Volutneer Fire Department


And then there is the matter of what to do with the 1965 Corvette that was already purchased for this year’s raffle.

Barry Flansburg, a member of the Barre Fire Department told The Daily News Online that there is probably no organization following the state law as it was written several decades ago.

“The law hasn’t kept up with technology,” Flansburg said. “Why hasn’t somebody looked at Stafford and said, ‘Look how forward thinking they were,’ instead of crying, ‘Oh, they broke the law.’ Why aren’t we congratulating Stafford on their creative way of making money, money that doesn’t come out of the taxpayers’ pockets?”

Stanley Gere, trustee and long time member of the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department says the loss of the raffle and the funds it brought in will hurt the entire community.

“Whoever turned us in didn’t think about the $5,000 we gave to Mercy Flight each year,” Gere said. “Or the equipment it enabled us to purchase to protect the community. Or the children from the State School for the Blind, who we sponsored to a day at the carnival. Or for that matter, the carnival itself, which was supported by the raffle.”

And now, instead of those raffle funds, it will be the local taxpayers who now be on the hook for funding the fire department’s budget.

The fire department has been hosting car raffles since World War II and Corvettes have become a mainstay since they offered their first one, a 1957 roadster, in the early 1980s.

There may be help coming for future raffles though as New York State Assemblyman Steve Hawley has introduced a bill to amend the old law to allow charitable and non-profit groups sell tickets online for fundraisers.


Source:
DailyNewsOnline.com

Related:
St. Bernard Church to Offer a 1961 Corvette in 28th Annual Raffle
Raffle of 2015 C7 Corvette Stingray to Benefit Patty Pollatos Fund
Corvette Museum to Raffle Off a 2015 Corvette Stingray Coupe and Convertible at NCM Bash

 



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5 COMMENTS

  1. Seems like there is always some righteous person who thinks they are helping when in fact they’re just hypocrites.

  2. Instead of shooting the messenger for pointing out an out of date piece of government intervention, the focus should be on getting rid of it.

  3. Too sad, I have had the flyer on my desk and was getting about ready to purchase my usual tickets and then read this ? Must have been a sore loser who was expecting to win every year and so far has not ! I always enjoyed supporting them as a great cause and still will if it is allowed at some point in the future.

  4. I join many others who are saddened to learn of the demise of this far from harmless effort. I live in Minnesota and have for years enjoyed trying to win a classic Corvette, knowing that my contribution found its way to so many important initiatives. I do feel as though I own a piece of a firetruck that helps save lives. I had already entered again this year, but my envelope came back… dashed by stupid rules conjured up by some who don’t seek understanding but rather control. If anyone is wondering why voters are angry, here’s a perfect example. I’m a liberal and an oldster. Come on folks, let’s get real. Don’t shoot the good guys…

  5. I have been participating in this raffle for years and now some idiot(s) have come forward and said it was illegal. Are you kidding!!! This is for a great cause(s). I live in Massachusetts and wish we did this here. So sad!!! We have lost site of what’s important in life instead of silly rules!!!

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