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John Marcantonio jmarcantonio@adirondackchamber.org Leadership Adirondack 518-798-1761 |
GLENS FALLS – The stakes are high; but so is the payoff — for the whole community, not just the winning ticket holders. That’s the message members of this year’s Leadership Adirondack class are spreading as they invite local residents to participate in a community raffle to raise money for The Open Door Soup Kitchen and Day Center in Glens Falls.
With only 500 total tickets for sale at $100 each, the class hopes to raise $25,000 for The Open Door, with another $20,000 going to the grand prize ticket holder, followed by $3,000 and $2,000 to the second- and third-place winners respectively. The team is giving itself until April 15 to sell all tickets, at which point a drawing will take place at the Adirondack Sports Complex.
“I am humbled by the show of support from the community as a whole,” said Chaplain Bruce D. Hersey, director of The Open Door. “The participants in the Leadership Adirondack class are a wonderful example for the community as they exhibit concern for the less fortunate in the greater Glens Falls area.”
Funds raised by the community raffle will be used by The Open Door to assist in purchasing new equipment or large capital assets that the organization otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford in its annual operating budget. Last year The Open Door served almost 60,000 meals to more than 800 individuals, all on a budget of only $140,000. The organization’s responsible practices have created an average cost of only $2.33 a meal. And while demand for meals and other services continues to grow, the center is limited by the size, capabilities, and condition of its current South Street location.
“Leadership Adirondack is proud to support Chaplain Bruce Hersey and The Open Door Soup Kitchen’s efforts as they give hope to hundreds of individuals each year,” said Craig Seybolt, credit analyst for Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Co. and Leadership Adirondack class member. “Not only does the facility provide a hot meal, but also an environment which provides strength and direction to those in need. It is our honor, as the class of 2009-10, to help provide the resources necessary to ensure the continued success of the organization.”
With a limited number of tickets remaining, the class is encouraging interested community members to act now. Tickets can be sold to individuals, or several individuals may join together and share the chance to win the cash prizes. Raffle tickets are $100 and can be purchased from any Leadership Adirondack team member:
- Whitney Bascue, NBT Bank
- Guinevere Forshey, Crandall Public Library
- Dr. Jonathan C. Gerber, Gerber Family Chiropractic/LiveWell ADK
- Robert Grugle, TD Bank
- Danielle Harris, Glens Falls Hospital
- Tyler Herrick, The Sagamore Resort
- Sandra L. Hoffis, Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Co.
- Carrie Java, Tribune Media Services
- John Marcantonio, Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Monique Marcil, Tribune Media Services
- Mark Parfitt, SUNY Adirondack Community College
- Scott Rogers, Associates of Glens Falls
- Craig Seybolt, Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Co.
- Jennifer Turcotte, Keena Staffing
While the team anticipates selling all 500 limited tickets, if fewer tickets are sold, the raffle will shift to a 50/50 grand-prize drawing based on the total number of tickets sold.
For nearly 20 years, Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Adirondack program has helped to develop local leaders by creating a team-based environment that allows annual class participants to explore and learn about the region, its economy, history, educational system, human services needs, and more.
