The CUSD Foundation 13th annual Raffle fundraiser took place May 29 in the Ceres Unified School District main office, hosted by the Grants Office staff and CUSD Foundation volunteers.
Normally the drawing is announced at the Ceres Street Faire, which was cancelled this year because of COVID-19 restrictions.
Proceeds from ticket donations support activities at Ceres schools and provide supplemental instructional support for Ceres teachers. Over the past decade, over $245,000 has been awarded to over 600 Ceres teachers, with tens of thousands of more dollars used to support Sober Grad Night events, field trips, special class activities, and a scholarship program.
Three $500 cash prizes and three prize packages valued at $500 each were offered this year. The three $500 cash prizes were won by Angelica Olaguez, Celestino Oliveros, and Ka Senesom who purchased winning tickets from Sam Vaughn Elementary, Caswell Elementary and Central Valley High School, respectively.
Juan Cervantes won the $500 grocery certificate package donated by Cost Less Foods. This ticket was purchased from his child, La Rosa Elementary student.
The family entertainment package was won by Eriberto Serrato, who purchased the ticket from a Hidahl Elementary student. This entertainment package included items donated by California State Railroad Museum and Children’s Museum of Stockton.
A gas grill barbeque donated by Dave and Brenda McConnell of Ceres, was won by Maria Ortiz who purchased the ticket from her son, a Don Pedro Elementary student.
All winners have been notified by the CUSD Foundation.
Additional donors included West America Bank, Ceres Rotary, J.L. Bray & Son, FF&J Architects and United Inspection.
While the goal of the CUSD Foundation is to raise $40,000 each year through this raffle, as result of the school closures in late March only $29,015 was raised this year.
“We are so grateful for the continued support of the community in our efforts to enhance education for our students today and tomorrow,” stated Julie Martin- Borba, CUSD Grants Administrator and Foundation Liaison.
All of the proceeds are spent on education in Ceres Unified with schools receiving 70 percent of the earnings and the CUSD Foundation 30 percent.
Brian Murphy served as emcee for the drawing this year while coordination and planning were led by Martin and her staff, in coordination with Ceres schools and students.
