Second Annual Raffle Kicks Off!

By Becky Pugh

We are celebrating the kickoff of the second annual raffle for the Diocese of Great Falls – Billings. I wanted to share a little about the raffle and a new benefit event that we are having this year! I would also like to show how it helps the diocese and our parishes and schools.

Last year, the Diocese received a $50,000 gift to establish a Raffle fundraiser. With the prizes secured – Chancery staff kicked off the first Raffle fundraiser in September 2020. The goal was to create a new way to raise money for the ministries of the diocese for ministries such as: supporting St. Thomas Camp, supporting Seminarian education, supporting retirement for priests, supporting The Harvest, and others. With the success of our first year – we are excited to see what our second year will bring!

One of the biggest questions we get is where the money comes from for the Raffle prizes? Each year – we will set aside the next year’s prize money from the money that is raised. This essentially allows the diocese to do the raffle at no real cost. This will happen indefinitely, enabling the raffle to continue as long as it is profitable.

Another question we often get is where does the money go and how does this help the diocese? The money raised benefits the ministries of the diocese AND a portion of it is returned to diocesan churches, missions, Catholic schools, and other Catholic entities (Catholic Social Services, Knights of Columbus, etc). Each raffle ticket is $20. The Catholic entity that sold that ticket will receive between $5 to $8 of that ticket, with the rest going to the diocese. The more tickets your Church or School sells, the more money is raised. For example – if your church sells 100 tickets? The church will get $500. However, if your church sells 300 tickets – you will actually get $2100! This provides a way for your Catholic entity to participate and make money without having to do the administrative side of conducting a raffle or fundraiser.

The prizes this year have expanded. We will continue to have four early bird cash drawings in November ($1,000), December ($500), January ($250) and February ($250). We will also be drawing for five major prizes. Grand Prize will be a 2022 Hideout Camper or $15,000 cash. Second Prize will be a 2022 Honda Pioneer Side by Side or $10,000 cash. Third Prize will be a BBQ Package that includes a Traeger Grill, PermaFrost Cooler and $500 gift card plus other goodies. Fourth Prize will be a Kayak Package for Two. And Fifth Prize will be an Outdoor Movie Theatre Package including a projector, speakers and screen along with other fun movie essentials.

The Raffle runs from September 15, 2021 through May 20, 2022. Our major prize drawings will take place at our new Moving Mountains Benefit event which will be held at The Newberry in downtown Great Falls on May 20, 2022. The Benefit event allows all of us to come together for dinner, entertainment, silent auction, wine wall and more. Tickets are limited.

More information can be found on the diocese website (www.diocesegfb.org) or by calling Becky at the Chancery. If you are interested in helping with the Raffle or Event, if you want more information on how to help sell tickets, or for anything else related – please get in touch with Becky at (406) 604-1854. Raffle and Event Tickets are on sale now and make great gifts this holiday season!