Back to School Bash in the middle of two raffles

The fourth annual Back to School Bash is approaching and its organizers are holding two raffles, with one starting today, to raise money to pay for students’ school supplies, haircuts and shoes.

The raffles are the only way to raise money this year, with the COVID-19 pandemic putting a hold on their usual fundraisers, Back to School Bash Chairperson Christy Edmonds.

The first raffle is the Gift Basket Raffle which has already begun, she said.

“We’re raffling them off, it is $1 a ticket,” she said.

People interested in purchasing a ticket can message her through her personal page or through the Back to School Bash Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/B2SB4kids, or she is willing to drive to their house to drop off the raffle.

People will also have the opportunity to pick up a raffle ticket today in front of the Girl Scouts House at 420 Fifth Ave from 5 to 9 p.m. 

The drawing will be streamed live on the Back to School Bash Facebook page Saturday at 2 p.m.

She said each gift basket is different and pictures are posted online on the Facebook page of each one.

The second raffle is the Paddle Board Raffle which begins today and runs through June 19. Tickets for this will be available at the Girl Scout House as well, or by contacting Edmonds. Tickets are $10 each.

The winner will receive two Sun Dolphin Alpha paddle boards, she said, adding that a second and a third place mystery prize will be available.

The drawing will be streamed live on the Facebook page Saturday, June 20, at 2 p.m.

The main thing the money is raised for is to be able to purchase shoes, she said.

She added that she needs to raise $1,200 to be able to purchase the shoes for the students.

 “The Back to School Bash itself is a program that gets all of the students that are around Havre that are lower income — we get them together on one day in August,” Edmonds said. “We get them together and along with the Salvation Army we supply backpacks, school supplies, shoes and haircuts.”

She said the back to school bash also provides a carnival for the students with prizes and lunch featuring a motivational speaker.