(Seguin) — Looking for the perfect Father’s Day gift, a patriotic Fourth of July surprise, or simply a way to help neighbors in need? Community members will have nearly 25 opportunities to do all three when Guadalupe Regional Medical Center hosts a massive basket raffle benefiting the Salvation Army of Guadalupe County.
The fundraiser will be held Friday, June 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Cascade Café at Guadalupe Regional Medical Center. Organizers say the event will feature close to 25 themed baskets, ranging from Father’s Day gifts and outdoor grilling packages to holiday-themed bundles and other creative offerings assembled by hospital employees.
The raffle comes at a critical time for the Salvation Army, which is facing a significant funding shortfall while demand for assistance continues to rise.
Melissa Waters, office coordinator for the Salvation Army’s Guadalupe County Service Unit, says the community has continued to support the organization, but larger donations have been harder to come by.
“It’s definitely time for a fundraiser for us. We have had a shortfall of funding. Now mind you, the people of the whole county had given generously. And I can attest to that because number one, what they were giving was more frequent. We saw more donations, not necessarily in the amount, but people were giving pocket change. And I mean, almost everybody was stopping and putting something in the kettle. That is a testament right there that they wanted to support what we’re doing. But frankly, we didn’t see the big donations. And that’s not to sound ungrateful because we had so many of those. That was a wonderful thing. It was still a blessing. However, we didn’t get the high level of corporate giving and business giving that we have gotten in previous years. And that’s just, I think, a statement of tough times. People are hurting and businesses are feeling it.”
Waters says the funding challenges have already forced the organization to reduce the level of assistance it can provide to local families struggling to pay basic household expenses.
“There’s a lot of people, a lot of families in need, and we’re trying our best to meet that need. We’ve already had to curtail, tighten up our requirements and cut back. Put it this way, we’re still trying our best to help as many people as we can. But there’s a big difference between paying that electric bill and all of it versus paying only a portion of it. They’re still left in a lurch sometimes. At this juncture, we’re still trying to get through till November, the middle of November when Red Kettle starts again. And frankly, it doesn’t look like we’re going to make it without some assistance. And that’s just being blunt.”
According to Waters, the raffle offers an affordable way for community members to support the Salvation Army while also having the chance to win one of the many baskets on display.
“The basket raffle will be at the hospital in the Cascades Cafe. So that’s the cafe there in the hospital. Raffle tickets will go on sale the morning of the 19th at 8:30 in the morning. And then they close off a sale of those tickets at noon on the 19th. And then the drawing is at 12;30. Tickets are a dollar each or six for $5. And of course, the more tickets you buy, the better your odds.”
Waters says the event would not be possible without the generosity of Guadalupe Regional Medical Center employees, many of whom personally purchased items and assembled baskets for the fundraiser.
“This is all done by the employees of the hospital. And you stop and you think all of these people that work at that hospital, not all of them, but the lion’s share, are making these baskets and putting a lot of time, energy, and money out of their own pocket into these baskets to be raffled off. It’s just an absolute beautiful thing and a huge, huge thank you and call out for the employees of GRMC for doing this.”
Community members are encouraged to stop by the Cascade Café on Friday, June 19, purchase raffle tickets and help the Salvation Army continue its mission of assisting local families with rent, utility and emergency needs.
Those who cannot attend the raffle but would still like to support the Salvation Army may send donations by check to:
Salvation Army Guadalupe County Service Unit P.O. Box 105 Seguin, TX 78156.