The Bowie County Dive Team is hosting a gun raffle to raise funds for equipment that is vital to search and rescue. They are raffling 12 guns ranging from pistols, rifles and shotguns. Each ticket purchased has a chance to win multiple guns.

The Bowie County Dive Team is a non-profit organization that conducts search, rescue and recovery in our area waterways as well as anywhere that needs assistance in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. The divers are volunteers and purchase their own equipment and are also responsible for the upkeep as well as paying certification fees.

"For years and years ever since we started in 2005, the divers have had to purchase their own equipment," said Todd Fore, Bowie County Dive Team President. "Now with this raffle we'll be able to buy every diver their own equipment for search and rescue."

The group is hoping to raise $10,000 with this raffle.

"We do various training sessions throughout the year," Fore said. "We just had a donation to purchase four sets of gear but that doesn't include the cost of the dive suits and masks. The Bowie County Sheriff's Department provided us with four under water communications which really helps during the dives because the majority of the time, we can only see to the end of our masks. Some of what we do is completely by feel. It is a very dark, eerie feeling. We dive in ponds, lakes and rivers. Our group has 16 members, 10 of which are divers, the others are support staff to help with lines and drive the boats. Some rescues require overnight stays which also adds to the cost."

I asked Fore why he volunteers to be a diver. He said, "Back in 2004, I believe it was, there was a young man that fell off his boat with his dog into Wright Patmon Lake and they both drowned. When we needed to have someone to search for him, it took two days to get someone here and that was just not acceptable. We needed a dive team here to respond quicker and that's when the group was created." Fore continued, "We are not often needed however when we are needed it is imperative that we are there."

When I asked how many hours is required to be certified I was amazed at ll of the different certifications this team has. Fore said, "All public safety divers hold a minimum of five certifications: open water, advanced open water, rescue diver, full face mask and public safety diver. Each of these certifications cost money and time."

The equipment required for divers includes tanks, regulators, dive suits and masks. Fore said, "When you add 'search and rescue' to it, that means everything must meet certain high standard requirements. The suits alone cost right at $3,700 because they must be FEMA volcanized rubber dry suits. One complete suit with all of the necessary equipment costs approximately $8,900."

The drawing will be held at 10AM on Friday, October 21 at Cowboy Gun's, 125 NE Front Street, New Boston, Texas. You do not need to be present to win. Additionally, winning tickets will also be put back in hopper for a chance to win the other guns which means ticket holders have an opportunity to win multiple guns. Here are the guns available to win:

 

Bowie County Dive Team
Bowie County Dive Team
loading...
  • Uncle Henry "Golden Boy" 22 cal. rifle
  • Ruger 270 cal. rifle
  • Ruger 30-06 cal. rifle
  • Bushmaster XM15 5.56 cal. rifle
  • Remington 223 cal. rifle with scope
  • Savage Arms 243 cal. rifle with scope
  • Hatson Arms 20 ga. shotgun
  • Savage Arms 6.5 Creedmoor cal. rifle with scope
  • Glock M/43 9mm pistol
  • Ruger 9mm pistol
  • Smith & Wesson MMP "Shield" 40 cal. pistol
  • Sig Sauer "POW Edition" 45 cal. pistol

Only 200 tickets will be sold so your odds of winning are great. Tickets are $100 each. To purchase raffle tickets contact:

More From Power 95.9