MRA and FD come together in new gambling agreement
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The Mantorville Restoration Association and Mantorville Fire Department Relief Association will combine their charitable gambling fundraisers moving forward through pull tabs, e-tabs, bingo and other charitable gambling activities to raise funds for both organizations.
The Mantorville Restoration Association and Mantorville Fire Department Relief Association have entered into a new cooperative agreement around charitable gambling to support both organizations — and the work they do for Mantorville and the surrounding area.
The agreement grew out of conversations between the two organizations after the Fire Dept. began exploring charitable gambling as a way to help raise funds to support the community. Rather than moving in separate directions and competing for the same opportunities, both organizations determined the community would be better served by a collaborative effort.
Under the agreement, MRA will remain the licensed gambling operator. The Fire Dept. will compliment the effort by providing an assistant gambling manager, Brett Skoog, and volunteers from both organizations will help with events like bingo and meat raffles. MRA’s current gambling site is the Mantorville Saloon.
“This agreement gives the fire department a way to join an established operation and contribute right away in our close-knit community,” said Troy Stafford, President of Mantorville Fire Department Relief Association. “It is a practical way for both organizations to work together and keep building from there.”
The goal is simple: work together instead of competing against each other. By sharing the work and coordinating efforts, both organizations can better support their missions and focus their time and energy on the work each group is already doing.
“This is a win-win for both organizations,” said Luke Freund, Treasurer of MRA. “We are glad to be working alongside the Fire Dept. and putting shared effort toward something positive. This is the kind of solution that makes sense for a small town.”
When people support pull tabs, e-tabs, bingo and other gambling activities connected to this effort, they will be helping support both MRA and the Fire Dept.
If any establishments are interested in working with and supporting MRA and the Fire Dept. through lawful gambling activities, please contact MantorvilleRestoration@outlook.com.