FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 22, 2024

Foley resident wins $20,000 grand prize in Catholic United Financial Raffle 

FOLEY, Minn. – Cheering students, staff and guests welcomed local Foley resident Matthew Hackenmueller to St. John’s Area Catholic School on the morning of April 19 where he was awarded a $20,000 novelty check representing the grand prize of the 2024 Catholic United Financial Raffle.  

Students of St. John’s participated in the Raffle fundraiser, along with 80 other Catholic schools in Minnesota and South Dakota, during six weeks in January and February and raised more than $20,000 through the sale of Raffle tickets. Out of the 140,000 total tickets sold through the fundraiser, Hackenmueller’s was selected as the winner during the March 7 prize ceremony held in St. Paul, Minn. A parent of students at St. John’s, Hackenmueller thanked the school and sponsor Catholic United Financial for the fundraiser success and his prize. 

In an unexpected development, Susan Porter of St. Cloud was also at the event and pleasantly surprised St. John’s staff by donating the $1,000 Best Buy gift card she won in the Raffle to the school. The Principal, Christopher Smith, felt truly blessed for such a gift. Smith had spoken to a staff member that morning about needing more Chrome Books for the next year school year. 

Celebrating its 15th year, the Catholic United Financial Raffle raised an outstanding $1,416,329 in 2024, the third highest total in Raffle history. The 2024 Raffle, held from Jan. 12 to Feb. 18, involved more than 14,000 students from 80 Catholic K-8 schools in Minnesota and South Dakota. Launched in 2009, the Raffle has raised over $15.6 million for schools across Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Sole sponsor Catholic United Financial supports schools with promotional materials, tickets, and prizes, benefiting programs, tuition, technology, and facilities. (A full list of 2024 partner schools can be found here.)  

Catholic United Financial is a member-owned not-for-profit financial services company whose mission is to connect people of faith, protect their future and generously impact parishes, schools, and communities. For more information, visit www.catholicunitedfinancial.org/raffle.  

Catholic United Financial presented the $20,000 grand prize check to Matthew Hackenmueller and the $1,000 Best Buy gift card prize to Susan Porter. Standing left to right are Credit Union Brand Manager Emily Ripplinger, Best Buy gift card winner Susan Porter, Regional Sales Director Greg Gall, Principal of St. John’s Area Catholic School Christopher Smith, Daughter of Linsey & Matthew Hackenmueller, Member Advisor Ryan Voeller, Grand Prize winner Matthew Hackenmueller, Senior Vice President Paul Zastrow, Staff Member of St. John’s Area Catholic School and wife of Matthew, Linsey Hackenmueller, Son of Linsey & Matthew Hackenmueller and President & CEO Mike Ahles.