A lucky Santa Maria or Orcutt resident could be getting a brand new car soon, thanks to the sixth annual Save Our Schools Car Raffle presented by St. Joseph High School.
The school started the raffle in 2005 to help pay for the renovation of its gym.
“A number of alumni who are involved in some of the car dealerships in town wanted to help [with the renovation]. So they provided a car for us to raffle,” said Father Ed Jalbert, the school’s chaplain and development director.
Jalbert said the raffle was so successful that the dealership representatives asked if it could be open to all local schools.
“Now it benefits everybody in our educational community. It’s been such a blessing,” he said.
The raffle tickets cost $20 each, and the winner will get to choose one of the following prizes: a Chevy Equinox, a Toyota Camry, a VW Jetta TDI, a Honda Accord Coupe, or $20,000 cash.
The last day to buy tickets is Nov. 30. The drawing will be held on Dec. 7 at Toyota and Scion of Santa Maria at 700 E. Betteravia Road. All proceeds from the tickets go to the schools that sell them.
Jalbert said in years past Santa Maria Mayor Larry Lavagnino has been the one to draw the winning ticket out of the drum, as students from the various local schools look on in excitement.
“Last year, it raised about $80,000 for our local schools,” he said.
The event is sponsored by Toyota and Scion of Santa Maria, Honda of Santa Maria, Home Motors Chevrolet, and Cadillac and Community VW and BMW.
For more information, or to buy tickets for a specific school, call Ramona Souza at 937-2038, Ext. 163.
Managing Editor Amy Asman compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at intern @santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Nov 17-24, 2011.