A friend of mine called today to ask my opinion of an FRG Fundraiser that her husband's unit is planning. I was sort of dumbfounded by it at first and now I'm in full-on disagreement. Here's the situation:
This unit has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since June 2010 and is due home this June. Of course, everyone is eagerly anticipating their return and looking forward to the redeployment ceremony. The FRG has decided to have a "First Kiss" raffle to raise funds. Raffle tickets will be sold for $1.00 each and at the ceremony, just prior to releasing all of the soldiers, the Company or BN CDR will draw a raffle ticket and announce the soldier's name that is on the ticket. That soldier will then be allowed to leave formation and greet his loved one(s) first. Moments later, all soldiers will be released.
My friend is wholly against the idea and I find it ridiculous. In my opinion, at the worst it seems somewhat exploitative and at the very least, ill-advised. Everyone at this ceremony is in the same boat and have been waiting twelve long months for this reunion.
With a little research, I've also learned that raffles and/or lotteries are not approved fundraisers on our post. So, while at this time, this is their plan, I don't yet know if it will be approved once it goes through the proper channels.
So, what do you think?!
