Raffle 2002 Is Over!

Top seller Mary Bell (L), with Brian Evison and Raffle Chairperson Wendi Fischer.

The 2002 BBRC Raffle is history, and the results were gratifying. Raffle Chariperson Wendi Fischer congratulated the Club for its achievement, “rolling up over $103,000 to be used to support worthwhile organizations in our community.” Wendi praised every team for its contribution toward the goal. Each team received a certificate of completion or near completion of their travel plans to further carry out the ‘Worldly Affair’ travel theme.

Mary Bell was the top ticket seller, with an astounding $5,000 in sales, followed by Norm Johnson, Bill Spencer, and Steve Goldfarb, all tallying over $2,000 in sales, to be recognized as ‘first class flyers.’

Wendi handed out certificates to each team captain:

Team USA, with John DeWater at the controls, “experienced great turbulence, but came on strong.”

Team Tahiti, navigated by Don Chandler, almost reached their goa,l with five $1,000+ sellers.

Team Peru, directed by Andrew Face, “made a slight navigational error … missed the runway … and was 80 miles short!”

Team Belize made a successful landing, with “outstanding leadership by their pilot Polly Stansell.”

Team Mexico got the ”Jenny Andrews Mile High Spirit Award,”

Team Japan, under the leadership of Sayoko Powell, was 150 miles short of its destination

Team Caribbean, led by Chris Ballard, finished off strong.

Jim Zidar’s Americas-Pacific Group finished with 48% of the miles … a fine showing …

… but not enough to edge out the leader from the very start. Don Deasy’s aggressive Europe-Antarctica Group, which pulled in 52% of the miles and won all the travel marbles.

Team Antarctica was led by its captain, Steve Goldfarb, leading by example.

Team Bavaria, despite Achilles tendon surgery a month ago on head pilot Daniel Feussner, still finished close to their destination. They also had five passengers over the $1,000 mark.

Team Congo, led by Mary Bell, was dubbed ”Captain” for the Raffle and got a prize – the whole airplane.

Team Czech Republic’s crew achieved 100% on the pledges, led by Captain John Martinka

Team Ireland, led by Rourke O’Brien, came close, with five $1,000 sellers.

Team Scotland, piloted by Doug Cameron, had a beautiful take-off but was $200 shy of the goal. Doug jumped up and contributed that $200 to put Scotland over the limit!

Team Russia, with Steve Lingenczar at the controls, also came close, but no cigar.

Still the overall race had the Europe group with 52%, the Pacific group at 48% – agreat battle for a wonderful cause.

Brian Evison, as President-Elect in charge of club fundraising, thanked everyone for their great effort. “This was not a normal year, yet the Club persevered, despite the adverse economic conditions. On a positive note, look at the members who achieved $1,000 and above. They total 52, which represents 46% of the membership, which is at an all time high. With the final accounting of the golf proceeds, the raffle should see close to $110,000 as its final tally.”