Rotary’s Super Bowl Spirits fundraiser under way
When the North Fort Myers Rotary held a raffle for a wheelbarrow full liquor last year, it was a tremendous hit which allowed the club to provide more of the services for which they are known.
This year, the Rotary will again put on the popular raffle, with a bigger bar, more restaurant gift certificates and a slightly different name.
The Super Bowl Spirits fundraiser is now under way, with the winner to be drawn on Thursday, Feb. 10, just three days before the game.
Dwight Sedgwick, secretary and treasurer of the Rotary, said they are always looking for clever ways to raise money for their projects, and learned that this type of raffle is a great way to do it.
“Last year, it was created because of COVID and we needed an idea. Another Rotary club further up north in the state did one,” Sedgwick said. “We put it together and we had 25 bottles of liquor and $150 in restaurant gift certificates and raised more than $6,000.”
This year’s raffle will have at least 37 bottles — top shelf rum, gin, scotch and more — and $175 in restaurant gift certificates, enough to set up someone’s liquor cabinet for a while, Sedgwick said.
The approximate value of the alcohol and certificates is about $1,000, Sedgwick said, adding that Rotary members donated the bottles.
Sedgwick said he hopes to exceed last year’s total, but didn’t have a set goal on what the expects the raffle to raise.
The raffle started at the beginning of December. So far, ticket sales have been slow, with about $1,000 in tickets sold. Sedgwick said he expected sales to pick up once the New Year arrives.
“With all the holidays, it’s hard to hit people up for buying tickets. But now there will be a big push for the next six weeks,” Sedgwick said as the new year commenced. “There’s plenty of time to buy tickets.”
The Rotary of North Fort Myers does many projects in the area throughout the year, which are funded through fundraising events like the Super Bowl Spirits raffle and the Rotary Masters Charity Golf Tournament, which will be held on April 23 at Magnolia Landing.
Among them is the annual toy project for the Head Start students at J. Colin English Elementary School and a scholarship program for graduating seniors at North Fort Myers High School that last year awarded $9,000 in scholarships.
Super Bowl Spirits raffle tickets are $10 each or 3 for $20. For more information, go to rotarynfm.org.
The Rotary of North Fort Myers was chartered in 1973 and carries out a variety of humanitarian, educational and cultural exchange programs, including its ultimate goal of eradicating polio. Rotary holds its meeting every Thursday at the Three Fishermen’s Restaurant.
To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com