Schools
This Year, Top Prize For Lincoln-Way Raffle Is Cash
An annual effort to raise funds for Lincoln-Way schools dangles $100,000 for its grand prize winner, rather than a new home.
Previous winners of the Lincoln-Way High School District 210 Foundation for Educational Excellence's annual raffle have walked away with the keys to a new home built by students — 11 times during the foundation's life.
This year, should the group reach its raffle ticket sales goal, the top winner will be handed something a bit different: $100,000.
The new first-place prize reflects the tough state of the current economy, foundation executive director Linda Lopez told Mokena Patch Friday afternoon.
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"What we hear from people, particularly in this struggling economy, is that cash is something everyone can get excited for," she said. The cash prize, Lopez went on to say, will give Lincoln-Way supporters the chance to spend the money how they choose.
The $100,000 prize hinges on selling at least 2,500 $100 dollar raffle tickets. Should fewer than that number be sold, the raffle's top prize will be calculated by splitting the ticket proceeds equally between the winner and the foundation.
Find out what's happening in Mokenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Lopez said reaching 2,500 in sales would allow the foundation to channel more than $100,000 to the .
Last year's home raffle saw 2,224 $100 tickets sold.
The foundation's dollars are used by Lincoln-Way teachers and students for a variety of projects.
"The funds always go back to the district in the form of grants and scholarships," Lopez said. "Our teachers put in grant requests that enhance educational opportunities for our kids."
Raffle ticket sales will begin in earnest tomorrow, when Alsip Home and Nursery hosts a raffle "open house" starting at 9 a.m. Anyone who purchases their tickets at the event or at one of 13 other open houses between now and September is automatically entered into another drawing for goods and services provided by participating businesses.
Two early bird drawings — on June 25 and Aug. 30 — will allow tickets purchasers the chance to win additional prizes, such as a gas grill or gift cards to area restaurants.
The final raffle drawing is scheduled to take place Oct. 7, during halftime of the Lincoln-Way Central versus Lincoln-Way East football game.
Sept. 24 is the last day to purchase raffle tickets.
