Annual contest benefits regional non-profits
Interlakes Area United Way’s (IAUW) WIN BIG Raffle kicked off July 1. This year’s prize is a GEHL skid loader worth over $37,000. Raffle tickets are $100 each and only 500 will be sold.
The annual contest raises money for IAUW’s general fund, which supports vital community service programs and non-profit agencies in Lake, Miner and Moody counties. It has been growing in popularity in recent years, with ticket sales maxing out for the first time in 2019.
“Last year we sold out of tickets, raising $50,000 towards program funding,” said Lori Gustaf, IAUW president.
Gustaf says this year’s contest may be more important than ever.
“This raffle has always been a crucial element to our local impact,” Gustaf said. “Now COVID-19 has left all of us in uncharted territory and there is a lot of uncertainty. We understand it may be a tough year for fundraising, but there will still be need, and we are up for the challenge.”
The winner receives a 2020 GEHL R105 Skid Loader nicely equipped with full cab enclosure, T-bar controls, heater, defroster and a deluxe seat with seat belt and bar. It also features a 60″ utility bucket, fenders, auxiliary hydraulics, rear counterweight and 10×16.5 HD tires. As equipped, it retails at $37,456.
Lake County International donated the skid steer and is the contest’s premier sponsor.
“Once again Lake County International has renewed their commitment to strengthening the region,” Gustaf said. “We appreciate their leadership in helping create positive change.”
Additional raffle sponsors include First Bank & Trust, Heartland Consumers Power District, East River Electric Power Cooperative, Farm Credit Services of America, Great Western Bank, Dakotaland Federal Credit Union, First Premier Bank, BankWest and Dakota State University.
Visit the WIN BIG page for a complete list of physical ticket sales locations or to buy tickets online. You may also call IAUW at 605-291-6359 or Lake County International at 605-256-3521 to purchase a ticket over the phone.
The winner will be drawn in September, tentatively in conjunction with the DSU Ag Bowl.
Featured image: WIN BIG Raffle sponsors join IAUW board members and volunteers to promote the annual contest. Also pictured is this year’s raffle prize, a 2020 GEHL R105 skid loader.
Pictured left to right: Great Western Bank Market President Paul Moore, Heartland Chief Communications Officer Ann Hyland, Farm Credit Services of America Financial Officer Kevin Jaspers, IAUW Board Member Mandi Stegenga, Lake County International Co-Owners Tom Bloom and Jeff Bloom, IAUW President Lori Gustaf, IAUW Administrative Liaison Katie Hahn, IAUW Board Member Megan Rummel, volunteer Kelsey Gustaf, IAUW Board Member Linda Ford, and volunteers Sydney Gustaf and Marisa Eimers.