Second annual Tea American Legion Triathlon, Silent Auction, and Gun Raffle to be held Saturday

The excitement is building as the Second Annual Tea American Legion Triathlon, Silent Auction, and Gun Raffle is just around the corner, scheduled for this coming Saturday, Sept. 23. The event promises a day of fun, community spirit, and the chance to contribute to a great cause.

This event is not just about fun; it’s about giving back to the community. All the proceeds from this fundraiser will go towards the Tea American Legion Restoration Fund, supporting ongoing renovations and improvements to the Legion building. Over the past year, dedicated volunteers have been hard at work, and the results are impressive. Some of the completed improvements include newly remodeled bathrooms, a refurbished bar area with new flooring, lights, wall wrap, paint, and furniture, a new roof, and repairs to ceilings damaged by water. Additionally, they’ve insulated the attic and started building a new deck on the back of the building, complete with a handicap accessible ramp. There are still more improvements in the works, such as completing the rear deck, installing new exterior doors, adding a beer cooler, updating hall ceiling tiles, and giving the exterior a fresh coat of paint.

The highlight of the event is the silent auction, featuring an array of exciting items up for grabs. There are currently 69 items listed on the silent auction, with an additional ten being added this week. Some of the featured auction items include Minnesota Vikings tickets, South African Hunts, and VRBO Vacation Stays. The auction is open to the public, and you don’t need to be present to bid or win. Auction items are currently posted on the auction website at www.32auctions.com/tealegion2023 and will also be on display at the Tea Legion from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The online auction closes at 8 p.m. on Sept. 23.

For those feeling lucky, there’s a gun/suppressor raffle that will follow the silent auction at 8 p.m. Raffle tickets can be purchased for $20, offering a chance to win a 5.56 Patriot Red/White & Blue Rifle and two 22 long rifle suppressors or gift certificates to Silencer Central. To purchase raffle tickets text or call Jeramie Eimers at 605-360-4856. Raffle tickets can also be purchased at the Tea American Legion.

The day’s festivities will also include a mouthwatering meal for attendees from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Legion Events Hall. Smoked pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans, and potato salad will be served, and it’s all available for a free-will donation.

This year’s corporate sponsors and those who have contributed to the Legion building remodel include the following individuals and businesses: RBS Sanitation, Schoenhard’s Customer Cabinetry, First Dakota Bank, Jensen Insurance Agency, Dana Dykhouse, American Bank & Trust, Climate Systems, Thornton Carpet, Jeren Homes, Granite Accents, Results Radio, Glass Doctor, NuVinAir, Fitness First, River Ridge Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Center, Reliabank, BH Construction, Explorers Credit Union, J&R Mechanical, Johnson Painting, Scheels, Army National Guard, Dollar Fresh, Octane Ink, Bam Bam’s BBQ Sauces, Cory Gronewold, Jeramie & Kristi Eimers, and Jeff Koch.