Raffle Ticket Sales to Benefit Homeless Veterans
Mðnу thanks tþ Mikayla Paluzzi-Tate fþr a particularly wõll thþught þut ðnd informative “Impact a LÑ–fõ†ÑÂþllõgõ scholarship essay thðt hÑ–ghlÑ–ghtÑ• how and whу ѕõllÑ–ng raffle tÑ–ÑÂkõtÑ• for your fundrðіѕõr is a grõðt way tþ raise money.
Mikayla explores ѕþmõ wonderful ðnd рõrѕþnðl rõðѕþnÑ• as tþ whу holding a rðfflõ Ñ–Ñ• not þnlу a grõðt fundrðіѕіng þррþrtunÑ–tу but also offers several specifics on how a raffle benefited a good cause, our homeless veterans.
Mikayla is a student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Wingate University. Good luck Mikayla!
This summer my mother and I were involved in a ‘cut-a-thon’ at our local hair salon in Massachusetts that raised money to build tiny homes for homeless veterans. The homes will all be located in one community where only homeless veterans are allowed to live. Everything in the home including electricity, water, and basic cable will be paid for. There will be a common area where the veterans can meet and discuss their experiences with one another. The man who started the program was once homeless himself after returning from Vietnam. He was in fear that he would harm others as a result of his post-traumatic stress disorder so he chose to be a homeless. A fellow veteran helped him off the street so he felt it his obligation to return the favor and help other veterans.
The ‘cut-a-thon’ included men and women’s haircuts, pedicures and manicures, and waxing. None of the services were more than twenty dollars and all proceeds went to building tiny homes. All the raffle prizes were donated and included prizes such as Red Sox tickets, gift baskets, restaurant gift cards, Lu La Roe items, and more. There was a basket for everyone there so the majority of people who attended the event bought at least one ticket. The tickets were sold for two dollars apiece, six dollars for five tickets, or twenty dollars for fifteen tickets. This caused many people to buy a minimum of five tickets and most people bought fifteen. I believe more money was spent on the raffle than the actual services. This event proves the power of a raffle and how much it can aid in raising money for a worthy cause. A total of 1500 dollars was raised, enough money to build a complete tiny home. A donation box was also set up to send supplies to Soldiers overseas. Nineteen care boxes were sent as a result from all donations from clients and the community. This event was not only able to help veterans but it brought the community together as well. Sometimes that community feeling is lost because everyone is living busy lives so an event that can bring the community together is surely a great one.
Recently commissioning into the United States Army, I felt the experience to be extremely rewarding. I have participated in several races that raise money for veterans. Veterans are risking or have risked their lives to defend our freedom so any chance we get to assist them we should. Hearing the founder of the program share his personal experience and his plans to help the veteran community was extremely heartwarming. I plan on planting flower gardens in the common area of the tiny home community this summer with my family. It was just great to see all the people come out to raise money for this great cause, especially in a state where military service is rare. Massachusetts only has 3,000 active duty personnel whereas North Carolina, where I currently live, possesses over 100,000 personnel (U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 2016). There are many events designed to aid veterans in North Carolina but it was wonderful to see an event, and especially the outcome of the event, in my home state.
“Impact a Life†Scholarship contributor: Mikayla Paluzzi-Tate
Yþu ÑÂðn hõlÑ€ Mikayla Paluzzi-Tate’s pursuit þf a scholarship award bу ÑÂlÑ–ÑÂkÑ–ng the “sharing Ñ–Ñ• ÑÂðrÑ–ng†buttþnÑ• bõlþw.
