AUBURN - The spirit of giving was in the air during the third annual basket raffle at the E. John Gavras Center Friday afternoon. Employees gathered around and assisted with drawing names of winners as Marie Gannetti carried a box of raffle tickets around the room, while Barbara Gray, coordinator of this year's raffle, wrote down winners names next to the baskets.
A total of 35 baskets were raffled off this year, five more than last year. Gifts ranged from spa and massage therapy baskets to football tailgate and drunken sailors baskets.
Proceeds from the ticket sales, a total of $1,112, will be used to buy gift cards to grocery stores and other stores in the area and will benefit 10 to 12 local families, Gray said. Last year, the center raised $775.
“We care about the families that we service. This is something that is simple, everybody has a lot of fun ... And in turn, it is very productive in raising money,” she said.
Families are chosen based on recommendations from teachers and therapists and this year's recipients have already been selected.
The center began accepting donations in late September and people dropped off a variety of items that were later used to create the baskets, Gray said. Raffle tickets went on sale the week of Thanksgiving and were available for purchase until the drawing at noon on Friday.
“Everyone that made a basket donated their own supplies to make a basket ... It was a big team effort,” Gray said. “One team did socks and they were collecting socks all year of different seasons and they probably had at least 20 pairs in there.”
Gray has worked at the Gavras Center for five years and has been involved in the raffle all three years of its existence, she said. This was her first year coordinating it. Gray's favorite part of the process was putting all the baskets together and waiting for the drawing, she said.
“The excitement that everybody had, and just participating and anticipating the drawing. I think when you see the baskets, (you) may want to buy more tickets because everyone wants to win one,” she said.
This was a successful event that contributed to a worthy cause, she said.
“To raise that much money free and clear to help our needy families is really exciting,” Gray said. “And just the people that we're here for are amazing in the strides they have to make just to function sometimes.”
Staff writer Gitana Mirochnik can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or gitana.mirochnik@lee.net
Proceeds from the ticket sales, a total of $1,112, will be used to buy gift cards to grocery stores and other stores in the area and will benefit 10 to 12 local families, Gray said. Last year, the center raised $775.
“We care about the families that we service. This is something that is simple, everybody has a lot of fun ... And in turn, it is very productive in raising money,” she said.
Families are chosen based on recommendations from teachers and therapists and this year's recipients have already been selected.
The center began accepting donations in late September and people dropped off a variety of items that were later used to create the baskets, Gray said. Raffle tickets went on sale the week of Thanksgiving and were available for purchase until the drawing at noon on Friday.
“Everyone that made a basket donated their own supplies to make a basket ... It was a big team effort,” Gray said. “One team did socks and they were collecting socks all year of different seasons and they probably had at least 20 pairs in there.”
Gray has worked at the Gavras Center for five years and has been involved in the raffle all three years of its existence, she said. This was her first year coordinating it. Gray's favorite part of the process was putting all the baskets together and waiting for the drawing, she said.
“The excitement that everybody had, and just participating and anticipating the drawing. I think when you see the baskets, (you) may want to buy more tickets because everyone wants to win one,” she said.
This was a successful event that contributed to a worthy cause, she said.
“To raise that much money free and clear to help our needy families is really exciting,” Gray said. “And just the people that we're here for are amazing in the strides they have to make just to function sometimes.”
Staff writer Gitana Mirochnik can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or gitana.mirochnik@lee.net
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.