Rifle raffle for autism; not everyone approves

Not everyone is pleased with Terry Jackson's latest charitable donation.

The Racine gun dealer who raffled off an AK-47 this summer has a new cause -- autism -- and a new rifle to give away.

Jackson, who sells guns from his store, DropZone Surplus 'N' Guns at 2501 Douglas Ave., is offering an AR-15 rifle, a handgun or a $300 store credit to the person who buys the $10 winning ticket. The AR-15 is the civilian version of the M-16, the rifle used by U.S. troops in Iraq. It is somewhat more civilized, in that it is "only" a semi-automatic.

Jackson says he came up with the idea for his first raffle after coming across an organization in Northern Wisconsin raffling off 20 guns for charity. "They have a different view of guns up north than we do here in the city," he said.

After August's AK-47 raffle, which raised $1,000 for AmericanSnipers, an organization that supplies sniper equipment to active military personnel, Jackson was contacted by a local autism activist, Cindy Schultz, who told him, "If you're going to do another raffle, why not do it for a local group?"

Schultz, mother of a 9-year-old autistic son, is Southeastern Wisconsin representative for Angel Inc. (Autism Network through Guidance, Education and Life), a support group for other mothers. "Autism strikes one in 150 kids," she says, "and although the state encourages 'early intervention' the waiting list for in-home therapy is two years!"

So, even though the blogosphere has lit up with opposition to the rifle raffle -- "blood money," one mother called it -- Schultz is unrepentant. "I talked to the president of Angel Network, and she said we shouldn't back down. We need more people like you to help us moms who have kids with autism," she told Jackson this morning, as she dropped off camo t-shirts for him to sell, to benefit the autism group.

Not everyone agrees. "This is grossly inappropriate and makes my skin crawl," wrote Jenni Mai, when she saw a story about the raffle on the internet.

"Perhaps the organization ought to consider changing its name, because this is not something an 'angel' would do," wrote Karen Jarosz.

Hasmig wrote, "In light of the fact that a toddler just shot himself in Kenosha with a loaded gun that his mother kept in her nightstand, I do not think Jenni's concern is an insignificant one."

But the raffle also has its online defenders. Amy Edwards wrote, "Let's not forget how expensive it is to take care of our kids, and be grateful for the generosity of people. On the Border (a strip club) has donated money for our cause and there are other non-profits that do Poker Runs or have benefits at bars. Are we really going to start being so picky?"

Schultz said her group hopes the raffle raises $2,500, or more, money that would go far toward sponsorship of a specific child, or for speech therapy, therapeutic horseback riding, creation of a sensory room. Harley-Davidson riders have done fund-raisers for the organization; there is an Indoor Autism Walk scheduled at the Burlington Wellness Center on Jan. 19.

Therapy does work, Schultz said from personal experience. "Autism is treatable," she says, showing pictures of her son, Gavin, whose smile has returned after ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) thereapies and biomedical treatment.

More information is available at the Angel Autism Network's website.