Raffle Party
Rotary reverse raffle raises funds for holiday children’s project, scholarships
Winners of the Braselton Rotary Club’s 10th annual reverse raffle
Cheryl Martin, Susan and Robert Schuenemann, Kay Schulte, Karri Jo Hardaway with her mother Connie collecting the check on her behalf and Max Martin. Funds raised will help make the Christmas holidays merrier for nearly 100 area children and their families and support the club’s Rotary Scholars. See more scenes in the photo gallery below.
The reverse raffle hosted annually by the Rotary Club of Braselton filled the winery pavilion at Château Élan Winery & Resort on Nov. 20, and five lucky ticket holders split the $10,000 prize.
Guests could also try their chances on raffle items as well as silent auction prizes including big flat-screen TV, a Nordic Track and a Dahlonega getaway.
Rotarian Nathaniel Langley welcomed the crowd to the 10th annual reverse raffle which raises money for the club’s signature Christmas project, support of nearly 100 area children identified through Jackson County Holiday Connection, and the club’s scholarship project for area high school seniors. The club currently has five Rotary Scholars attending colleges in Georgia and Florida.
Langley invited guests to make their way through the barbecue buffet catered by Stonewall’s BBQ of Braselton. The pavilion — decorated in festive holiday style with red and bright green presents, ornaments and balloons — was filled with the aroma of pulled pork, smoked wings, fixings and, of course, Stonewall’s popular bread pudding. Château Élan Winery & Resort staffers manned the cash bar which showcased Château Élan wines and other spirits.
The Rotary reverse raffle team took to the stage to begin the process of spinning the balls numbered 1 to 400 with Braselton Rotary President Leigh Carroll announcing winners of raffle prizes during the breaks. Raffle prizes included dinner at Cotton Calf Kitchen and Gainesville Theatre Alliance tickets for an evening out, a Mary Kay basket from consultant Rita Contreras, a basket donated by Northeast Georgia Medical Center, wine and holiday baskets, dinner certificates and more.
Ralph Brooks spun the numbered balls and handed off one to President Leigh Carroll and Craig Heighton, who called out the numbers.
Rotarian Craig Heighton called out the numbers spun by Rotarian Ralph Brooks as charter member Bill Caiaccio recorded the order of numbers called as Rotarian Dennis Still and his son, Daniel, manned the computerized display board of the 400 numbered squares. One by one, numbers were eliminated from contention for the $10,000 prize.
When the remaining numbers tallied 10, the countdown was on – whose numbers would remain as five more numbers were drawn. The suspense was soon over with the remaining five ticket holders queried about whether they would agree to split the $10,000 or if they preferred to “let it ride” and take their chances on winning the total pot. The final five were represented in the house and all agreed that $2,000 in the hand was better than a risk of nothing or winning it all.
The almost winners in the final 10 were Wanda Strzeienski, Sabrina Sanderson, Glenna Maney, Eagle Ranch and Richard Snow.
The success of the annual reverse raffle can be credited to community support and commitment of Rotarians fulfilling the motto of “Service Above Self.” “To me, it is amazing what our club and community can do to give back to those in need in our area,” said President Leigh Carroll. “I always call our club ‘The Little Club that Could!’ This annual event brings out the best in everyone. “From ticket sells, to donation of auction items to volunteerism, it just doesn’t get any better than this event,” said Carroll.