With 20 great prizes up for grabs, and proceeds going to a community institution, it’s not too late to buy tickets for the “Building for the Future” elimination raffle.
“Building for the Future” campaign chairman Mark Kowalchuk said about half the tickets for the raffle have been sold so far, and is hopeful sales will pick up in the coming weeks.
“We had a real push just before Christmas and now we’ll concentrate, starting next week, with a bunch of ads,” he noted. “Hopefully, we’ll be sold out by Feb. 23.”
The tickets, which cost $50 each, are on sale now at the Fort Frances Public Library, Fort Frances General Supply, and the Memorial Sports Centre.
A total of 1,000 tickets will be sold, with 20 prizes eligible to be won.
These range from cash prizes of $10,000, $7,000, and $3,000 to a 32” LCD TV, laptop computer, gold chain, leather recliner, a home theatre system, handheld GPS, landscaping package, patio furniture, and a Nintendo Wii.
The draws all will take place Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Memorial Sports Centre auditorium.
Kowalchuk noted that following a fundraising committee meeting earlier this week, more details have been confirmed regarding this evening.
Starting at 7:30 p.m., the evening will feature a ’50s theme, including the music of the “Sensational Hot Rods,” a dance contest, spot dance, prizes for those who come dressed in the best ’50s costume, and other attendance and door prizes.
There also will be an hors d’oeuvres buffet open all evening, as well as a cash bar.
And of course, the raison d’être for the event is the drawing of the 1,000 tickets in the “elimination raffle.”
As Kowalchuk previously explained, it is called an “elimination raffle” because every ticket will be drawn that evening.
Tickets will be drawn in batches of 50 throughout the night, with the 50th from each batch winning the prize allocated for that batch (the winning ticket and the 49 before it will not be included in the next batch).
“As we come to prizes, we’ll announce the prize winners and then continue to draw. So even as the band’s performing, people are dancing and so on, we’ll be scrolling the names on a screen as they’re pulled,” Kowalchuk noted.
With 20 prizes up for grabs, that means 20 batches of 50 tickets will be drawn, ideally making for a night of high anticipation amongst event-goers—and more than a few lucky winners.
(Don’t worry—winners who are not in attendance still will receive their prizes).
Tickets for the social, which cost $15 each, will go on sale Jan. 26 at the library and Kowalchuk expects them to sell out fast. Only 300 will be sold.
A limousine service will be offered within town limits.
Meanwhile, Kowalchuk said the “Building for the Future” campaign is moving along well, with nearly $500,000 raised—two-thirds of the $750,000 target.
“We’ve had some significant donations. We know we’re going to get that $750,000,” he enthused.
Those who want to donate to the “Building for the Future” campaign should call the library at 274-9879 or drop by in person to get a pledge card.
Payment options—like Mastercard, VISA, or automatic deductions from your paycheque—are available.
All donations over $25 will be issued a tax receipt.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
