February 6, 2017 - Gillespie, Illinois

A $5,000 cash prize will be awarded to the winner of the second annual The Partnership for Educational Excellence Grand Drawing.

Ticket sales – limited to 500 – were kicked off at The Partnership’s “For the Love of Education” trivia night on Saturday 4 February. An early bird drawing for two smaller cash prizes of $100 each were awarded at the trivia night to Patty Shrader of Staunton and Connie Wenzel of Benld. Connie’s daughter Brooke Buhs accepted the money on her behalf.

Interest has been brisk since the kickoff with more than 20% already sold. Ticket sales will continue until all 500 are sold or until Palm Sunday, 9 April 2017. Last year, Elaine Gray of Gillespie won the $5,000 prize and donated $2,000 back to The Partnership

All proceeds of the raffle will go to post-secondary academic tuition scholarships. Since its founding in 1992, The Partnership (a 501(c)3, IRS-chartered education foundation) has awarded scholarships worth $192,500 to 370 graduates of Gillespie High School.

Ticket prices are $20. Tickets are for sale at Hicks Maytag at 118 South Macoupin in Gillespie. Or contact one of the following Partnership directors: John Fassero, Jr.; Donna Prevedell; Rose Marie Tebbe; Judy Cordum; Gail Cavallo; Rosie Emmenderfer; Nanci Grandone; Katie Ronald; Carole Scheller; Don Throne; Julie Zirkelbach.