Organizers say they didn’t know about a new county ordinance tied to a nearby subdivision—one that now requires 10 acres of land for events involving gunfire.
SAN ANTONIO — A miscommunication shut down a VFW fundraiser in northwest Bexar County on Saturday.
Organizers say they didn’t know about a new county ordinance tied to a nearby subdivision—one that now requires 10 acres of land for events involving gunfire.
The VFW sits on five acres and is working to buy another five and a half, but they’re not on the deed yet.
They say they notified the sheriff’s office about the event but never heard back, so they assumed it was cleared.
Once the fundraiser started, nearby residents reported gunfire.
But organizers say the shooting is part of the annual event—using shotguns with birdshot to hit targets and win a turkey or a ham.
They say they take every safety precaution, and no one is danger.
“This is a huge event for our post and for our community because with this event, it helps us move forward with our Christmas dinner, our Thanksgiving dinner, and our events during the months of November and December where we feed for free our veterans in our community,” said Stephen Starbuck, 7108 Post Commander, District 20 Commander SA. “And it also helps provide in those events if we collect toys for the two orphanages here in San Antonio.”
The sudden shutdown means the post lost out on $6,000 to $8,000 dollars it expected to raise—and is now $1,200 dollars in the hole from supplies they already bought.
The VFW is asking the community for help: cash donations, unwrapped toys, or food items to support their holiday programs.
Anyone wanting to help can contact the post.