Irish Eyes Were Smiling

 

 

 “We took a bit of a leap of faith, and it paid off,” said Art Burns of the Queen City Rotary Club. “Our first ever Pot of Gold Reverse Raffle brought in over $40,000 which will go a long way toward supporting kids across Manchester.”

 

A long-time Rotarian, Burns explained that the pandemic had sidelined many of the club’s fund-raising events over the past two years. With things easing up a bit, the club seized upon the idea of a “reverse raffle” where the big winner’s name is chosen last and gets to split the pot. The other half would go to charity. Club members sold tickets and sought sponsorships and winning ticket was drawn at a special event held on March 17 at the Manchester Millyard Museum.

 

“This was a true grass roots event,” said Monica Labonville, President of the Queen City Rotary Club. “Art stepped up and organized the planning committee to get the ball rolling and the club members jumped into action. Like everything we do, it was a true team effort.”

 

Sponsors included: Leprechaun Level: Frank DiDonato/Keller Williams, Individual Fitness, Bank Prov, Manchester Rotary Club; Queen’s Gold Level: Clark Insurance, Harbor One Mortgage, The Stevens Family, and Eastern Propane and Oil; Rainbow Level: Dugan PR, Bouford Properties LLC, Write Connection, Parnell, Michels, & McKay, PLLC, Butenhof and Bomster, Pro Cut CNC Machine, Primerica, The McMahon Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, Lally Property Specialists, GSC It Solutions, Sullivan and Sullivan, LLC, The Truncellito Family, and Monarch Title; Lucky Charms Level: Donor Advised Funds-Fidelity Investments; Irish Bambrack Level: Susan King, Greg Timbas and Adam Johnston.

 

Burns added that multiple in-kind sponsors also stepped up to help and John Clayton of the Manchester Historical Society served as Master of Ceremonies for the event.

 

“Our club is united in our cause, and we have a lot of fun raising money,” said Labonville. She added that in the coming weeks, the club will be announcing the grant application process for area non-profits that serve youth.

 

 

Comprised of more than 50 community and small business leaders, the Queen City Rotary Club seeks to improve the lives of area youth and others through community service, volunteerism, and charitable giving. The Club meets each Thursday at 7:30 a.m. at the Puritan Back Room and welcomes guests.

 

To learn more, please visit www.queencityrotary.org.