School warns of fundraising scam

Whitefish High School is warning businesses owners to be aware of a fundraising scam by a company that claims to be associated with the school.

A Texas-based company called Touchdown Sports has reached out to several local businesses over the last two weeks asking for sponsorship to support WHS athletics, Principal Kerry Drown said.

“Everything we do is local, so if somebody contacts them that’s not local, beware,” Drown said.

Among the businesses contacted were State Farm Insurance and Hammer Nutrition, he noted.

The company has reached out by email and phone claiming to have a connection with WHS, even using the name of a local coach to appear legitimate, he said.

“Every once in awhile we get these folks that latch onto public schools as a vulnerable entity, especially in communities like ours where the town supports their high school activities really well,” Drown said.

The company appears to be offering sponsorship on T-shirts for high school sports.

Drown said this isn’t the first time a scam has claimed to be affiliated with the school. A company two years ago also contacted businesses claiming to be selling sponsorship for athletic calendars.

Anyone who has been contacted by the company or any other out-of-state company seeking sponsorship support for the high school, should contact Aric Harris, WHS Activities Director, or Drown at 862-8600.