IAUW annual contest benefits regional non-profits
One lucky ticketholder could win a $38,000 skid loader this fall.
Interlakes Area United Way (IAUW) is giving away a 2021 GEHL R105 Skid Steer Loader for its WIN BIG Raffle.
The contest kicks off this weekend with a winner drawn at the Dakota State University Ag Bowl, slated for Saturday, September 18. IAUW will sell 600 tickets for $100 each.
The winner receives a 2021 GEHL R105 Skid Loader nicely equipped with a deluxe cab enclosure with heater, defroster, deluxe suspension seat, T-bar controls, and seat belt and bar. It also features a 60″ utility bucket, fenders, back-up alarm, engine block heater, rear counterweight, self-leveling lift action and 10×16.5 HD tires.
As equipped, it retails at $37,915.
Money raised by the annual raffle is passed along to community service programs in Lake, Miner and Moody counties. Ticket sales have maxed out in recent years, setting a new benchmark for IAUW.
“The raffle raised $50,000 in 2019 and again in 2020,” said IAUW President Lori Gustaf. “Building on that success, this year we are increasing our fundraising goal to $60,000.”
Eric Kunzweiler, chief strategy officer of Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership (ICAP) says the raffle directly impacts local organizations.
“The WIN BIG Raffle is a great way to invest in United Way and the programs they support, including ICAP,” Kunzweiler said. “Ongoing support from IAUW is vital for our organization in helping meet the needs of the low-income and elderly population. Buying a raffle ticket helps us and others create positive change in our communities.”
Presently IAUW provides financial support to six ICAP programs, including Delta Dental Mobile Program, Head Start Pre-Birth to Five, Miner County School Supplies, Moody County School Supplies, 60’s Plus Dining and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. Collectively the programs benefited 896 people in 2020 in Lake, Miner and Moody Counties.
Lake County International of Madison donated the skid steer and is the contest’s premier sponsor.
“Our partnership with Lake County International continues to have an incredible impact on the region,” Gustaf said. “Every year they come through with a high-quality prize that appeals to the public and engages the ag community. They are a driving force behind the raffle, and we could not be successful without their support.”
Additional raffle sponsors include First Bank & Trust, Heartland Consumers Power District, East River Electric Power Cooperative, Farm Credit Services of America, Great Western Bank, First Premier Bank, BankWest and Dakota State University.
Tickets can be purchased online or at various businesses around Madison, Howard and Flandreau beginning July 10. IAUW will also sell tickets at each DownTown in MadTown event this summer. You may also call Lake County International at 605-256-3521 to purchase a ticket over the phone.
Pictured: WIN BIG Raffle sponsors join IAUW board members and funding recipients to promote the annual contest, which is giving away a 2021 GEHL skid loader.
Front row, left to right: IAUW Vice President Danielle Kearin; IAUW intern Jessi Giles; IAUW Board Member Justin Brunsvig; Heartland Consumers Power District (raffle sponsor) Director of Human Resources Theresa Schaefer; ICAP Lake County Community Service Worker Sarah Hock; IAUW President Lori Gustaf; IAUW Board Member Megan Rummel; IAUW Board Member Rob Buchholtz; and IAUW Board Member Mandi Stegenga.
Back row, left to right: ICAP Chief Strategy Officer Eric Kunzweiler; Lake County International (raffle sponsor) Co-Owner Jeff Bloom; Lake County International Co-Owner Tom Bloom; Lake County International Parts & Service Rep John Bloom; First PREMIER Bank (raffle sponsor) Vice President/Market Leader Floyd Rummel; Lake County International Precision Farming Specialist Taylor Bloom; and Farm Credit Services of America (raffle sponsor) Financial Officer Kevin Jaspers.