PEMBERVILLE, Ohio — Coronavirus restrictions have made holding fundraisers very difficult, but a fire department in Pemberville and a local small business found a creative way to sell raffle tickets after not being able to hold a big in person fundraiser.

 

What You Need To Know

  • The Pemberville-Freedom Fire Department's annual Feather party was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions

  • The fire department decided to do a raffle instead

  • Ben Frobose, owner of Frobose Meat Market, helped the department sell raffle tickets by filming hilarious videos at the fire station

 

Ben Frobose imitated professional wrestler the Undertaker in one of several videos the Frobose Meat Locker owner participated in to sell raffle tickets.

The department is raffling off smokers and meat because the annual in-person fundraiser had to be canceled.

The fire department says the partnership, has led to a lot of ticket sales.

“Of course, we keep it local because we love our local businesses, so we contacted Ben and then I thought about, 'Hey, Ben has the best personality ever, and he’s funny and always gets thousands of views on his videos, so we contacted him and he helped us sell tickets. And we did, and we sold a lot because of those videos,” said Shelly Vajen, a firefighter and EMT with the Pemberville-Freedom Fire Department.

“I feel like I’m playing a very small role in this. Trust me, they’re the ones doing all the work. So for me to be able to contribute to that, just is good for everybody. It’s good for them, and it’s good for me as well to to be involved, because we are in the same village together and we’re all working towards the ultimate goal,” said Frobose.  

The fire department says there are still raffle tickets available but they’re close to being out.

Tickets are $20 and the drawing is Nov. 18.

For more information, click here.