The Dry Grad 2015 committee’s truck raffle raised approximately $13,500 this year with a lot of help from local businesses and volunteers, says Dry Grad fundraising committee chair Sherry Yonkman.
“This is our most important and biggest fundraiser of Dry Grad and it helps us to continue with next year’s planning for Dry Grad,” Yonkman says. “The community support was absolutely amazing.”
The Dry Grad truck raffle draw actually includes three prizes this year: a 1994 Chevy extended cab donated by Cariboo Chevrolet Buick GMC and refurbished with the help of other local businesses; second prize of a beautiful log bench donated by Pioneer Log Homes; and third prize of a FireRight 2 stainless steel portable gas grill donated by Air and Water Home Environment Centre.
The draw was made during the 2015 Dry Grad party June 6 at the Cariboo Memorial Complex.
The truck was won by Jayme Carrier. The log bench was won by Anthony Johnny and the portable gas grill was won by Dallas Ingram. Providing a totally roadworthy truck for the raffle is a big job.
“Cariboo GM has been supporting the raffle for four years,” Yonkman says. “They co-ordinate the whole thing. We couldn’t do it without them.”
Cariboo GM lot manager Steve Stasica said Fix Auto Collision did the body work and paint job.
Lake City Glass put in a new windshield.
Integra Tire Auto Centre fixed the brakes and rotors and installed some of the parts. Bee Jay Auto Wrecking and Towing, Taylor Automotive Supplies, and Canadian Tire donated parts.
Lake City Auto Care Mall donated and installed the exhaust system.
Audio Video Unlimited donated a stereo system.
Shickworks Signs and Stitches donated the decorative decal wrap.
Integra Tire and Cariboo GM did the mechanical inspections.
Cariboo GM detailed the truck just before the winners came to claim it.
“It’s always nice to see smiles on the faces of the winners,” Stasica says of why Cariboo GM and the other businesses go the extra mile to support the Dry Grad fundraiser.
Yonkman says that 40 volunteers worked at ticket tables over an eight-week-period to sell the raffle tickets and she appreciates all the hard work done by Mark Law and the volunteers to keep the project on track.
She says other Dry Grad 2015 fundraisers over the past year included providing security to the West Fraser Christmas party, doing the set up and clean up at the Lions Mothers’ Day pancake breakfast, a DeVry spring plant order, doing the set up and cleanup for the Children’s Festival in Boitanio Park, and a separate raffle during the winter.
All of the prizes for the winter raffle were also donated by local businesses such as Lake City Ford, About Face Photography, Brides & Belles and Spa Naturally.