WINDSOR TOWNSHIP – The Windsor Historical Society has decided to make a change to its fundraiser raffle this year, switching from a Chinese auction format to something very similar to keep things fun.
Lucy Bean, president of the Windsor Historical Society, said the basket raffle will be run like a typical Chinese auction, with bidders buying numbered raffle tickets at the door and dropping them into a bag for each prize basket, but this time the baskets are going to be brought by the community.
Bean said she hopes this will make the raffle more fun and cut down on having to solicit donations.
“We’ve made a change from a Chinese auction,” she said. “They’re pretty popular right now.”
People can take a basket – donated by a local Amish church – and bring back with whatever they think will raise funds: kitchenware, pet food, treats or toys, bathroom items, baking ingredients, canned goods, just for a few examples, according to Bean.
Each basket will have a bag in front of it, and bidders place numbered tickets inside. Doors open at 2 p.m., with the drawing set for 4 p.m.
There will be four big-ticket items being auctioned off as well: a five-piece patio set, a crossbow with arrows, a full-size Blackstone grill and a 600-pound bale of hay.
“That’s more than any of us can lift,” Bean joked.
There is also a meat raffle, with the winner getting $900 in meat donated by Kempf’s Custom Butchering in Mesopotamia.
As is usual for a raffle fundraiser, there will be a 50/50 raffle, with the Windsor Historical Society and the winner splitting the winnings.
It’s mum season, and the Windsor Historical Society will be marking about 20 of the auction paddles, with whoever holds one of the winners taking home a fresh, beautiful mum, according to Bean.
There will also be lots of food at the door: hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, ice cream and other goodies.
The Windsor Historical Society basket raffle will be Saturday, Sept. 26, from 2-4 p.m. at the Windsor Community Center, 5400 U.S. Route 322.
