GREENFIELD — Rotary Club members are seeking county nonprofit organizations for the sixth-annual Steak’n Bake’n Raffle, a fundraiser that granted more than $30,000 to charities last year.
Nonprofits have until Oct. 1 to file their application to take part in the raffle, an event slated for 6 p.m. Oct. 28 that includes a steak dinner, drinks, musical entertainment and a return of the popular People’s Choice booth, which invites guests to vote with their contributions for the top five organizations, which will receive a grant from the Greenfield Rotary Club, organizer Dale Buwalda said.
Ten organizations will be selected to be represented at the event, conducted in the exhibit hall at the Hancock County 4-H Fairgrounds, 620 N. Apple St.; more than 30 have applied for the privilege so far, Buwalda said.
The event last year, which entertained a sold-out crowd of 500, split the proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorship among Hancock Hope House, Hancock County Senior Services, the Hancock County Food Pantry, Hancock County Veterans Park and The Landing. Each organization received a grant of $5,000. Each of the 10 organizations represented also kept all their people’s choice award donations, said last year’s organizer, Dave Anders.
Rick Walker, chairman of the Hancock County Veterans Park, said the $5,000 grant went a long way toward covering the upkeep of the plants and flowers in the downtown Greenfield park. Landscaping costs the organization about $7,500 every year, he said.
“It was a welcome godsend that we got very many donations and the work of the Greenfield Rotary,” Walker said.
Several organizations that participated last year but did not receive a Rotary grant are throwing their hats in the ring again this year, hoping to land the top prizes.
The Greenfield Central School Foundation applied to be one of the organizations up for a grant, said executive director Ginny Brown.
The Rotary grants are especially helpful to organizations because they are unrestricted funds, Brown said. Many individual donors would rather their funds went to specific programs, but unrestricted funds can be used for necessary but uninspiring things — like keeping the lights on, she said.
Families United in Support and Encouragement fell short of being picked as one of the top five organizations by just a few hundred dollars last year, so its organizers are applying again in hopes of snagging one of those grants, executive director Denise Arland said.
“It’s always a fun event,” she said. “they do a nice job — it’s organized, there’s live music and good food. It’s a good event to be a part of.”
Buwalda aims to raise at least $35,000 at this year’s event, he said.
“Over the years, we’ve been steadily growing,” he said. “A little more growth this year would be wonderful.”
Tickets for the Steak’n Bake’n Raffle are $35 until Oct. 1 and $40 from then until the event, according to a news release. Tickets may be purchased from any Rotarian or at Forty Financial, 812 E. Main St., Greenfield, or Bernzott State Farm Agency, 1279 N. State St. (located behind Subway on State Street).
Tickets may also be purchased at the door. Eight or more people can reserve a table at a discount by calling Deby Low at 317-467-2228.
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Sixth-annual Steak’n Bake’n Raffle, hosted by the Greenfield Rotary Club, is planned for 6 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Hancock County 4-H Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall, 620 N. Apple St., Greenfield.
Tickets for the Steak’n Bake’n Raffle are $35 until Oct. 1 and $40 from then until the event. Tickets may be purchased from:
- Any Rotarian
- Forty Financial, 812 E. Main St., Greenfield
- Bernzott State Farm Agency, 1279 N. State St.
Tickets may also be purchased at the door. Eight or more people can reserve a table at a discount by calling Deby Low at 317-467-2228.
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