Get yer motor runnin': Lower Burrell Fire company scores with motorcycle raffles

Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 Kinloch is on its fourth Harley- Davidson motorcycle raffle in less than two years.

Tickets went on sale this week for the public to win a black 2022 Harley-Davidson FLTRX Road Glide Standard. Kinloch caps sales at 1,000 tickets and sells them for $37 a ticket known as a “tip.”

Kinloch came up with this raffle and other small games of chance to compensate for the loss of fundraising income during the covid-19 pandemic, which closed down in-person events.

“When our firemen’s club and social hall had to close during the pandemic, we looked at ways to raise money without interacting with people,” he said.

Their first raffle last year sold out in four days, said Ted Hereda, chief of the Kinloch department.

“We try to look at what people like and give them what they want,” he said.

They want Harleys, especially in the spring at the start of the riding season, Hereda added.

Patrons also don’t want to pay taxes and expenses or wait to receive their prize, he said.

To make the motorcycle raffle more appealing, the company is throwing in $1,000 for taxes as well as taking care of plates, registrations and other expenses. The prize also includes free maintenance on the bike for its first service appointment.

Fire companies across the state pivoted to online games of chance during the pandemic to make up for the money lost from in-person fundraisers according to the firehouse website.

The process is staying the same with relaxed pandemic restrictions: Patrons buy “tips” online through a secure website and can watch the drawing — or rather the fireman scratching off the “tip” — to reveal the winning number.

“It’s online and live because that way everyone can see so there is no way to fudge it,” he said.

To buy a ticket, visit the Lower Burrell VFC No. 1 Facebook page. The fire company didn’t release a date for the raffle to be held. Whenever the 1,000 tickets are sold, those who bought a ticket will be alerted via social media as to when the drawing will take place.

The company receives 30% of the ticket sales and will earn about $7,500 on the most recent motorcycle raffle.

“We give away products at good prices, but we also have to make a buck to survive,” he said.

Z&M Harley Davidson Motorcycle of Greensburg provides the bike and gives the fire company a nice discount for the fundraiser, Hereda added.

Kinloch will use the proceeds from the Harley raffle to pay for a range of fire company expenses, including payments on one of their fire trucks, equipment and matches for grants.