Republished from the Midrealm Gazette:

How the “Bows for Calontir Falcon Fund” came about.

In March while returning from Gulf Wars, the Brook’s family trailer transporting their precious Calontir birds was lost in a vehicle fire. I saw that Calontir was doing a “Silent Auction” at an event for them, but felt something more needed to be done.

I am from Gleann Abhann. We are celebrating this year our 10th year as a kingdom. In 2005 Hurricane Katrina struck, and basically all our regalia and scrolls were lost. The Knowne World came to our aid with replacements for everything to get us back on our feet. We as a kingdom proclaimed we would not forget the good that was done to us and when others were in need we would return their good in kind. Like many of my fellow scadians, a promise was given.

There is a Baronial War at Samhain in October coming up between the Baronies of Grey Niche and Three Rivers at the Castrum/Roman Reenacting site in Lafe, AR. I am the owner’s site manager for handling business with the SCA. The site has a period tavern that was not going to be used. I contacted William Hopper the autocrat and Jim Hannold the Grey Niche Seneschal for permission to run a fundraiser which the barony endorsed.

My son wanted to use a period cart and sell lemonade at the war for tips to help and get other kids to help. Then everything changed.

Jim Bryant, a truck driver who is also a master bowmaker and will be teaching classes at another event “Athenaeum” at the Castrum on the weekend of May 8th contacted me. We had met at Gulf Wars and talked a little, but we have not known each other long. Jim wanted to help. He wanted to do a raffle/fundraiser for one of his beautiful bows. Then the next day he said, “I want to do two”. He called me up that evening and said, “Let’s do five and the top prize will be a English Longbow of Yew with horn tips”. He asked me to run it for him.

So, in a month we went from a bar/lemonade wagon at a war to a huge raffle. Five bows will be given out. We will be selling twenty five hundred tickets at $1 each. We have found out that many states that you sell something then you are automatically entered into the raffle, so then it is not considered gambling. So, I am selling “Limited Edition Stickman” drawings that will be sent to you via email, and then you will be entered into the drawing. The drawing to be done at court during the Baronial War.

Jim saw a kingdom and a family in need and had the means to make a difference. His mailing address is in the Midrealm but mainly he plays in Meridies. For myself, my part is to honor a pledge given a decade ago. For Jim, it is purely out of love.

For more details on how to help and get involved please look up on Facebook  “Bows for Calontir Falcons”. or contact me directly at italonorman1187@gmail.com We have setup an account with Google Wallet. Once the $2500 goal is reached that money will be sent to the Brooks.

Thank you for helping.

THL Ranulf di Aversia
Lord Sigvat Odvarsson