Community Living Essex County deems holiday raffle a success

By Ron Giofu

REGIONAL — The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted non-profit organizations and their fundraising, but Community Living Essex County (CLEC) found a way to replace some of its lost revenue.

The not-for-profit agency, which supports over 700 people with an intellectual disability and their families across the county, presented its first ever “Hello 2021” holiday raffle in which they hoped to “Kiss 2020 Goodbye” and ring in the new year on a more positive note.

Early estimates have the raffle raising between $15,000-$20,000, which offsets the loss of revenue CLEC would have gained through their gift wrapping booth at Devonshire Mall in Windsor. The latter had to be cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It went well, very well,” said Tony DeSantis, manager of community relations and resource development with Community Living Essex County.

DeSantis said CLEC had planned to hold the draw via Facebook Live but couldn’t follow on through with that due to the province’s stay-at-home orders.

However, staff still did the draw and DeSantis said they were happy with the overall results from the raffle. He said they sold all 1,200 tickets, which was one of the goals.

“I think the timing of it was great by making it a holiday draw,” said DeSantis.

Many people bought tickets either for themselves or as gifts, he pointed out.

“It was a great fundraiser for us especially with the holidays,” said DeSantis.

The holiday raffle was promoted online and DeSantis said they had a strong turnout due to that. Families supported by CLEC also helped support the raffle as well, he said.

“We were pretty fortunate we had a lot of support from the community,” said DeSantis. “We didn’t know how it was going to be received.”

The line-up of prizes was “outstanding” and included the grand prize of a hot tub spa from Erie Accent Pools of Leamington and Sunrise Spa valued at $9,800. The winner of that was Justin Latam of Leamington, who has also performed at other CLEC fundraisers such as the Ruthven Apple Fest in the past, DeSantis said.

Krystan Battagello, of Erie Accent Pools & Spas, is shown here with grand prize winner, Justin Latam of Leamington. Latam’s ticket was drawn for a new hot tub in the Hello 2021 Holiday Raffle put on by Community Living Essex County.

“He knows all about us because he helps out with our other fundraising events,” said DeSantis.

Other prizes include $5,000 cash and a 55 inch television. The cash prize was won by Don Hicks of Amherstburg while the television, supplied by Ernie’s TV Furniture and Appliance, was won by Sarah Gignac of Maidstone.

“We are very grateful for the outpouring of support we have received to date for our lottery,” stated DeSantis.

Brad Shepley of Essex won the early bird draw, a barbecue supplied by RONA in Leamington.

Sponsors came from across Essex County, De- Santis added, something he believed was appropriate as services CLEC provides go across the county as well.

DeSantis kept the door open for future raffles, noting they may hold another one at a different time of year. He said CLEC aims to bring back their regular fundraisers once pandemic conditions allow for them with those including the Ruthven Apple Festival, Charity Golf Classic and other events.

He said they have a strong social media following and families dedicated to the agency so that leads to confidence the agency can stage another successful raffle.

“This might be another element we add into the mix,” he said.

For more information on Community Living Essex County, visit www.communitylivingessex.org or call 519-776-6483.