Basket raffle at Case-Nic raises funds for OCALS

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Carolyn Wagner, a member of OCALS, stands in front of Case-Nic Cookies, where a basket raffle to benefit the literacy agency is taking place through July 28.

MEDINA – For the second year, Orleans County Adult Learning Services is sponsoring a basket raffle in the window of Case-Nic Cookies on Main Street.

The agency known as OCALS provides tutoring to individuals and school children throughout the county. Founded in 2006 and ran for many years by strictly volunteers, it relies solely on donations and grants to fund its services.

With limited staff, the basket raffle in Case-Nic Cookies window is a perfect way to raise money, according to Carolyn Wagner, who organizes the raffle.

There are 53 baskets on display in the window. Individuals wishing to participate may take an envelope out of a bucket in the doorway, in which there is a ticket stub and sheet of paper listing all the baskets. They indicate how many tickets they wish to purchase, which baskets they want to win and how many tickets go in each basket. They place the correct amount of money in the envelope with the list of baskets and drop it in the mail slot in the door.

Then staff at Case-Nic Cookies tears apart the tickets and places the requested number in each basket.

Some of the baskets have lottery tickets, planters, a rooster lawn ornament, jewelry and gift certificates to numerous businesses and services in Medina, such as hair appointments, chocolates, flowers, hardware and groceries.

Wagner praised Case-Nic Cookies owner Mary Lou Tuohey for providing her window free to non-profits.

“Not many businesses would give up an entire window for someone else to use,” she said.

Fundraising is a challenge for OCALS, which has limited staff, so the basket raffle is a doable event. This year they are going to have a fundraising dinner in September, Wagner said. They have also had a presence at the Strawberry Festival in Albion, the Farmer’s Market in Medina and Medina’s Community Yard Sale.

“We are trying to raise awareness in the community of what we do,” she said. “There are still many people who don’t know what OCALS is.”

OCALS is a not-for-profit group of volunteers who provide free tutoring one-on-one to individuals who want to improve their reading, writing and English speaking skills, along with improving their digital literacy. OCALS recently joined with United Way of Orleans County to offer help via the Orleans Digital Literacy Initiative. They serve individuals in ABCD child care (Grace’s Place) in Holley, local school districts and the Iroquois Job Corps. One member, Ann McElwee, is bilingual and can work with the Spanish speaking population.

Anyone is encouraged to think about joining OCALS, either as a board member or tutor. Volunteers can play a really active role or stay in the background, Wagner said.

Anyone wishing to join OCALS in any capacity may call (585) 590-1292 or check on to the OCALS Facebook page.