For Immediate Release
Contact: Raina Lojovich, 651-765-4137 or raffle@catholicunited.org
ST. PAUL, MN – Is it possible for Catholic schools to conduct successful fundraising campaigns in the middle of a pandemic, when most Catholic churches are closed and door-to-door fundraising methods aren’t available?
Organizers of the Catholic Schools Raffle, an annual fundraising program involving 80-plus Catholic schools since January 15th, are hoping that this year’s results will be encouraging despite the many challenges that school administrators have faced from COVID-19 lockdown orders.
“We were hopeful when 82 schools were still interested in participating, despite the situation these schools would have to find new ways to get the word out about ticket sales,” said Raffle Coordinator Raina Lojovich. “Due to the lockdowns, traditional methods of selling tickets in person at school events and after Mass were no longer available. We had doubts that reaching the million dollar goal was even possible.”
Catholic school students from across Minnesota and the Dakotas have been selling raffle tickets since the middle of January, and competing for top selling prizes and performance grants. On March 11, winners and totals will be revealed during a prize ceremony streamed live online. The grand prize winner of the Raffle will receive their choice of a brand new Ford Ecosport SUV or $20,000 in cash; other winners will be selected for more than $40,000 worth in prizes. Schools are competing for additional performance prizes which will be awarded by Raffle sponsor Catholic United Financial.
Super Bowl champion and former Minnesota Viking Matt Birk returns for his third year as the master of ceremonies of the event. More than just a gridiron champ, Matt cleverly quips his way through the 40-minute ceremony while sharing his passion for Catholic education and developing a healthy culture for youth sports through his 4HG program (www.4hg.co).
Other highlights during this ceremony will be: a dramatic banner drop of the grand total raised by all 82 schools; live interviews from Raffle participants; the announcement of the top performing schools who will each receive $3,000 grants; and the drawing of more than 40 prizes by lucky winners who bought tickets to support their local Catholic schools.
The Catholic Schools Raffle is the largest fundraiser for Catholic schools in the Upper Midwest, and has raised over $9 million for Catholic education since 2009. Every year, sponsor Catholic United Financial underwrites more than $100,000 to fund the raffle.
WHEN: March 11th, 2021 starting at 11:00 a.m. Drawing event will take approximately 30 minutes
WHERE: Ceremony will be live streamed at www.catholicunitedfinancial.org/raffle. Broadcasting from Catholic United Financial Home Office, 3499 Lexington Ave N, Saint Paul, MN 55126.
CONTACT: Raina Lojovich, Marketing and Events Coordinator
Office: 651-765-4137
Email: rlojovich@catholicunited.org
Website: www.catholicunitedfinancial.org/raffle/
Interviews Available: Matt Birk, Catholic United staff, partner Catholic school staff can be available for interviews.
Membership in Catholic United Financial starts after you purchase a product from us. Membership means aligning your finances to your faith, and:
