ROCHELLE — At its Dec. 19 meeting, The Rochelle Kiwanis Golden K Club held a drawing for its annual cash raffle fundraiser. The raffle raised $18,600. The cost was $20 per ticket and a maximum of 1,500 tickets were sold. Tickets included over $200 in coupons to local businesses.

"$18,600 is the best we've ever done." Kiwanis Golden K Member Don Horner said. "We did it in three months of selling. Everyone did a great job helping to support this organization. Thank you very much. It takes all of us to make this a success."

Six prizes were drawn and awarded from the raffle including $2,500 (Dixon Montgomery), two $1,000 prizes (Tina Chapman and Jen Brooks) and three $500 prizes (Mike Hardesty, Kathy Connor and Aaron Hayes). Prizes were drawn by representatives from local businesses that sponsored the raffle.

The raffle was sponsored by local businesses including Jeff Perry Auto Group, Maintain Your Smile Dental, A1 Hot Body Detailing, Flight Deck Bar & Grill, Ace Hardware, Hub City Car Wash, Liquor 'n' Wine, Chem-Dry Kishwaukee, Meyers Furniture, Rosati's and Headons Fine Meats. The businesses provided coupons for the raffle tickets to entice entrees. 

"We'd certainly like to thank the people that help sponsor our tickets to be sold," Horner said. "We have about $260 worth of coupons on that. People can get their $20 so easily on these due to these people that help support our organization. We should help support them too."

The organizations Kiwanis Golden K supports include Focus House, Rochelle FFA, AYSO Soccer, Village of Progress, Camp Cedar Illinois, Creston Builders Club, Eswood Builders Club, Kings Builders Club, Rochelle Builders Club, Steward Builders Club, Rochelle Little League, Rochelle Junior League, Pegasus Special Riders, Rochelle Rescue Mission, Rochelle Wrestling Club, Boy Scout Troops 64 and 553, Girl Scout Troops 409 and 1870, David Crawford Foundation, Rochelle Township High School Key Club, Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center, Community Action Network (CAN) and 4-H Clubs Hub Hickory Nuts and Steward Soaring Eagles. 

Tickets were sold by Kiwanis Golden K members. Top ticket sellers were Harvey Folkerts and Neil Anderson.

"$18,600 is a lot of $20s," Kiwanis Golden K President Will McLachlan said. "That's a lot of asking neighbors and friends. We really appreciate that. You're doing a lot of good work. These tickets explain exactly what the work is for. You see the organizations we support. We give scholarships away. It all goes back to the kids. You should all be proud of the work and effort you put in."