ROCKINGHAM— Ronnie Hawks of Ellerbe was the grand prize winner of a John Deere Gator in Friday’s Raffle at the Rock drawing.
Twenty-four prizes were raffled off live on Facebook , with proceeds going toward the Richmond County Economic Development Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit “that has the sole responsibility of fostering economic growth in Richmond County.”
According to an August press release announcing the event, “REDC has successfully completed five shell buildings, built and maintains multiple industrial parks, and obtains grant funding for local industries and infrastructure improvements throughout Richmond County.”
Economic Developer Martie Butler said around 70 percent of the 1,000 tickets were sold for the raffle.
“It was great for the first year,” she said.
Butler added that they had wanted to do a large in-person event but were hampered by COVID-19 restrictions, so “we ended up doing something virtual.”
After Butler spun the raffle drum, the winners were pulled out by special helpers Ava Land, Harper Johnson, Raelyn Moore and Taytum Moore and read aloud by Scotty Baldwin.
Other prizes included a John Deere riding lawnmower, a Polaris 4-wheeler, Phoenix gas grill and cash awards of $1,000 and $500.
The Raffle at the Rock was sponsored by: DeWitt’s Outdoor Sports, LLC; Wildlife Processors, LLC; Andy’s Taxidermy; Big Rock Sports; Quality Oil and Gas Co.; Village Pawn & Gun Shop; Sport Cycles; Southeast Farm Equipment Company; ECS Engineering; Enviva; Impact Plastics; LKC Engineering; Pee Dee Electric; Iron Horse Auctions; Southern Builders; Perry Brothers Fuel; Talbert, Bright and Ellington; Myrick Construction; Johnny O’s Awards; and Wicked Cats Guide Service.
Other winners from the raffle are listed below.
