October 21, 2010

Truck raffle is a go

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F or the last time, holiday cheer will include the chance to drive away a winner.

The Skenesborough Volunteer Fire Department is currently holding its final Truck Raffle in the event’s current format, with members of the department selling the $100 raffle tickets up until the annual dinner and raffle event on Dec. 4.

Michael Putorti, who oversees the annual fundraiser for the fire company, said the move of the Whitehall town offices to the SVFC multi-purpose area would prevent the annual dinner from taking place there after this year, but that the company is looking into alternatives.

“This is our major fundraiser of the year, and this will be the last year that we will be doing it like this,” said Putorti. “We are looking into several options, including holding the raffle during warmer weather when we can then have an outdoor event at the end.”

Putorti said that the fire company was awaiting word from the town council as to when or if they were going to move into the building.

“It went back and forth for a while, and we weren’t sure what to do,” said Putorti. “Once a decision was made, I talked with Geezer (town supervisor Richard Gordon) and made sure that we could still hold the event.”

Because of the delay, Putorti said, members of the fire company will be pushing the raffle tickets hard.

“We have 300 tickets and a month-and-a-half to sell them all,” said Putorti. “As always, the tickets are $100 a piece and are a reservation for the holder and a guest at the annual dinner.”
The grand prize for the raffle is the winner’s choice of a 2011 Chevrolet Cobalt or truck courtesy of Hometown Chevrolet, or $15,000 in cash.

Along with the grand prize, there are also 10 $100 prizes and one $500 prize.

On Dec. 4, the annual dinner will take place with doors opening at 6 p.m., dinner being served at 7 p.m. and the raffle following the dining.

Tickets can be purchased at Putorti’s Broadway Market, Lake Champlain Coal or through any member of the SVFC.