This is Emily South’s first year on the Bolwarra Public School P&C committee, and it’s the first time the school has chosen an online Christmas raffle as its largest annual fundraising event.
In less than a week ticket holders will learn whether they have won a trampoline, a Fitbit, a Nitro Circus skateboard, a UE Megaboom speaker, a skate ramp, a tyre service, butcher packs, cafe vouchers, pamper packs or any of the other $5,000 worth of goodies.
And, while it’s been a labour of love selling the 1,800 tickets so far, Ms South says it will soon be worth the effort.
“We’ve had a fantastic response so far,” the mother-of-two said.
“Local businesses have empathised with the cause and been very generous.
“It’s been tough to ask for donations in tough times, but I think everyone appreciates that the school has had to miss out on many social-based events and this will help keep kids connected, and that’s really important.”
Proceeds from the sale of the raffle tickets will go toward the school’s technology program, ensuring all 430 enrolled students have access to technology.
“In 2019 our school participated in a technology pilot program,” Ms South said.
“After extensive research the school decided on iPads as the technology and embarked upon a learning journey that has opened doors into the future for our students and staff.
“The program has meant that every child could have access to technology, which as we’ve seen this year during lockdowns, is necessary to continue learning and maintain contact with peers online.”
The raffle will close on Thursday 2 December, with winners contacted the following day.
“It’s been hard to fundraise using traditional methods in the world in which we now live,” Ms South said.
“So we’ve had to get creative.
“Like most things at the moment, we’ve had to go online.”
Using her background in e-commerce she was able to navigate an automated e-raffle program online.
The raffle is being run online via rafflelink (https://rafflelink.com.au/bolwarrapandc).
And while committing to the task of fundraising in her first year at the school, Ms South says she’s already looking forward to being a part of its future.
“I have just the one child in Year 1 at the moment, and another starting Kinder next year. It’s a great school and we’re very happy here.”
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