Dollars for Scholars has successful wreath raffle

MEDICAL LAKE – Medical Lake Dollars for Scholars tried a new approach to fundraising during the holiday season and partnered with multiple local businesses to create a holiday wreath raffle.

Steven Meltzer, the group’s President said this was the first time trying this type of fundraiser, and it was so successful he plans to hold annual raffles of the same nature. “All of the businesses we partnered with this time are already on board to do it again next year,” he said.

“The businesses really put themselves on the line, and did a lot of work to make this happen,” Meltzer said. “Some of the businesses donated $500-$600 worth of products on top of all the man hours and labor they invested,” the group’s President added.

Meltzer said initially the group raised $2,694, but he then reached out to the community asking for a second push for funds. His goal at that point was to reach $3,000 so they could produce three $1,000 scholarships.

Meltzer said he asked for 51 people to donate six dollars each, and said he was blown away when he was told another $1,675 had been raised through this second push brining the total to $4,369 for the event.

He said the store that sold the most raffle tickets was a local business called Wispies Salon, and selling the most tickets means the business will get to name one of the scholarship recipients.

Meltzer said the non-profit has had to get creative with fundraising, and that is because COVID is still affecting the communities. He said Dollars for Scholars typically holds a big Spring fundraiser with a dinner, dance, and silent auction, but he has to plan tentatively to keep public safety a top priority during the pandemic.

Meltzer said he is very hopeful they will hold the Spring event, but “it may not look quite like it normally does because we will possibly have to make certain adjustments,” he said. The group’s President said they haven’t held this event since 2019, but the last time they raised over $15,000 and he hopes to get the event up and running again.

Matthew can be reached at [email protected]