Meat Raffle proves popular as new fundraiser for Medina Rotary

Photos by Tom Rivers

RIDGEWAY – Art Doldan, owner of ArtyParty716, spins the wheel on Friday night during a meat raffle fundraiser for the Medina Rotary Club. Gary Lawton of the Rotary Club is at right in back.

Rotary held the event for the first time as a fundraiser to support community projects.

About 150 people attended the raffle at the Ridgeway Fire Hall.

The crowd holds up $2 to have a chance in one of the rounds. They would get four chances to win different meat products for those $2.

There were 12 rounds in all with chances to win chicken fingers, pickle chips, pizza logs, bacon, burgers, state fair sausage, strips, prime rib, pork chops, pork butt, chuck roast, ribeye steak, shrimp, poppers, stuffed chicken, boneless breast, turkey breast, surf/turf and wings.

Art Doldan pulls the 50/50 ticket in a bucket held by Stephanie Mason from the Rotary Club, and the lead organizer of the meat raffle. The 50/50 split was about $800.

Mason has been to other meat raffles and she said they are fun events, while raising money for a good cause.

The Rotary Club expected the event raised $3,000 to $5,000 last night for the club to give towards community causes.

Carl Tuohey and his son Jackson get the meat ready for the winners.

Art Doldan walks past baskets up for raffle. He said the meat raffles are soaring in popularity. He is based out of Williamsville. Last year he did 37 meat raffles from Jan. 1 to June 1. This year he is scheduled to have 65 in those five months.

The events raise an average of $6,000 to $8,000, and some top $20,000.

“These events have really blossomed,” he said. “People love it.”