George Freeman School holding cash raffle fundraiser

By Christine Foshaug Times Contributor

If you’ve never had any luck playing the big lotteries, you may want to buy a ticket for the cash raffle fundraiser at George Freeman School (GFS). Money raised will go toward the loan the school took out to build the Keith Schneider Community Playground.
You’ll have a chance to win $10,000 (first prize), $2,000 (second prize) or $1,000 (third prize). A single ticket costs $20, but the school is selling only 3,000 tickets.
According to Jill McDonald, GFS associate principal, feedback has been very positive.
“People are pretty excited to win money,” she said. “A lot of people use the playground, so it really is a community fundraiser.”
Last year, McDonald heard about a community in northern Alberta that did a cash raffle fundraiser. She did the math and figured it could be successful.
“If we sell out the raffle, we’ll be within $5,000 of having our playground loan paid off, so it’s very exciting,” she added.
Parents formed a society when GFS opened in September 2018, and it took all of last year to get it approved. Society status allows them to apply to do casinos, bingos or raffles to raise money. They applied to AGLC and, after a lot of paperwork and purchasing a license, they were able to go ahead with the cash raffle.
If all the raffle tickets are sold, and after the prizes are awarded and expenses are taken into account, there should be $45,000 left to pay down the loan, said raffle chairperson Michele Schwing.
“The Friends of GFS executive has been working hard,” she said. “With a casino still a couple of years away, this raffle will make a huge difference.”
Tickets can be purchased from a GFS family, but they are also available at various locations in town.
“People can buy tickets at Katy’s Boutique, PJ’s Diner, Renaissance Bakery, Lil Hoots and the Town of Strathmore FCSS office, as well as at the school office,” said Schwing.
The winning tickets will be drawn on Tuesday, Mar. 31 at GFS. With pretty good odds, buying just one ticket could put money in your pocket and support a worthy cause.