ROCKINGHAM — The biggest annual fundraiser for the Richmond Senior High School Booster Club and Athletics Department is just around the corner, and tickets are still available.
Athletic Director Ricky Young is heading the fifth annual Raider athletics “reverse raffle” fundraiser, set for Saturday, April 13, at 6 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria. The event is something Young carried over to Richmond following prior success at West Columbus High School.
A “casual event,” the night’s proceeds go toward paying the program’s travel bill for this school year. Young explained that only 300 tickets will be on sale, with the first-place winner taking home $7,500. The second-place winner nets $1,500.
“Every time a Richmond team rolls in an activity bus, that’s money we have to pay,” Young said. “This event is a way that we can offset that travel bill.”
Young also said it’s a great way for the local community can come together for a “night of supporting Raider athletics” while also “socializing and having a nice meal.”
Tickets are currently on sale for $100 apiece, with each ticket serving as a voucher for two steak dinners. The steaks will be cooked by local volunteers, and be served with salad, a baked potato, desert and a variety of drink selections. Also helping out with the serving will be RSHS’ culinary arts program.
During the raffle, 300 ping pong balls will be dropped into a raffle ball basket, with each ticket bought representing one chance to win. In a reverse raffle, it’s the last ball pulled that determines the grand prize winner.
Door prizes will also be a part of the event, as every third ball drawn will receive a prize. In past years, local business have donated gift cards and services, while other prizes consist of Raider spirit wear. On top of that, every 15th ball drawn is a $50 cash prize.
Dinner will be served starting at 6 p.m., followed by an hour of socialization until the raffle begins. Young will be accompanied by RSHS principal Jim Butler as the emcee of the fundraiser.
“This event is all about being a fundraiser for our athletics program,” Young said. “People buy tickets to support our teams, and we appreciate everything our community does for us. This is a very positive event for our school and student-athletes.”
Last month, the RSHS Athletic Department held a Bar-B-Que plate fundraiser in addition to the coming reverse raffle. The money raised during that event will be used for upgrading team facilities, buying new gear and go into the general athletic fund.
Young noted that the goal for the fundraiser is to bring in roughly $15,000 to help pay for the milage bill, and that portions of the grand total collected will go toward the expenses of food and prize money ($10,000 for all combined winning tickets).
To purchase a ticket for the event, interested persons can contact Young and the RSHS main office at 910-997-9812. Also, any of Richmond’s athletic coaches may be contacted personally.
