American Dream Raffle

How would you like to win $100,000?  That’s the grand prize for this year’s 7^th Annual American Dream Raffle.  Second prize is a new car and third prize is a vacation.  If you’d rather have cash, you can take $15,000 for second prize and $2,500 for third prize.  There will be a total of 206 winners taking home $204,920 in prizes.  It is hard to imagine a small non-profit like the A. B. Graham Memorial Center being able to sponsor a raffle with such great prizes.  Well, it wouldn’t be possible, except that we joined forces with many other non-profits in our area.  When you purchase your tickets, use our discount code (ABG) to get your 10% discount on the ticket price and to ensure we get credit for the sale.  It is best to get your tickets before 12 March because that is when the first “early bird” drawing will be held.  If you win an early bird drawing your ticket goes back in for the rest of the drawings.  You can buy tickets on line at http://www.americandreamraffle.com/ or you can call (800) 970-3121 or stop by any Fifth Third Bank in Clark, Champaign, Logan, Miami, Montgomery or Shelby County in Ohio.  Be sure to use discount code ABG.

Go to http://www.americandreamraffle.com/ to learn much more about the drawing, including who past winners were. 

What will we do with the funds we raise?

Well the list is long.  Some of it will be used for day-to-day operating costs like utilities, but much of it will go to capital improvement projects and to improve our programs and services for area residents.  A partial list and ways you might be able to help follows:

 

Capital Improvement Projects

    (Facility Preservation/Energy Efficiency)

            Tuckpoint Masonry

Replace 300 linear feet of window lintels

Replace 140 windows

Replace 14 exterior doors

Replace gutters and downspouts

Extend new heating system to third floor

 

Capital Improvement Projects

    (Usability/Accessibility of Facility)

Install wheelchair ramp

Install elevator serving all floors

Renovate Restrooms

Renovate Locker Rooms

Renovate Auditorium

Install Central Air Conditioning

Black Top Parking Lot

Renovate Third Floor Rooms

Programs and Services Projects

 

A/V Equipment – A projector, speaker system, DVD player, etc is needed for numerous programs.  We regularly have educational programs and guest speakers in need of this equipment and we want to start offering dinner-and-a-movie nights for families as well as dinner-and-a-movie nights featuring some oldies-but-goodies for area seniors.

Fitness Equipment – One of our Exercise Bikes and Treadmills are in need of immediate replacement.

Lighted Sign – A common complaint we hear is that there is no sign along the road reminding passers-by of upcoming events.  We’d like to install a lighted/programmable sign on US Route 36.

Landscaping Projects

 

Mr. Graham had many of the mature trees at the center planted when he worked here.  In honor of his foresight, we’d like to plant trees for future generations to enjoy.

We’d like to add shrubs and flower gardens to beautify the grounds.  If anyone would be interested in “adopting” a flower garden to plant and maintain, please let us know.

Replace sidewalk/flagpole in front of school.

 

How can you help?

 

This section lists ways you might be able to help out around the A. B. Graham Memorial Center.  If you would like to be added to the list of volunteers willing to help out when needed, please go to the “Communicate With Us” page and drop us a note.

 

Money – Tax-deductible cash contributions offer us the greatest flexibility in meeting the center’s needs

Materials – Please contact us if you have any building/construction materials to donate that we might need

Labor (volunteer) – from serving food to painting walls to tending plants to construction…we need it all

Professional services – Plumbing, electrical, HVAC, construction, remodeling expertise is appreciated

Sponsor a project (redecorate a room, paint a wall, fund a specific event, etc.  Contact us with/for ideas.)

Adopt a section of the grounds and maintain a small flower garden or plant a tree

Donate items for the museum

Let us know about grants geared toward organizations like the A. B. Graham Memorial Center

Remember the center in your will (or even create an endowment fund in your family’s name)

Use (and promote the use of) our facilities and services.  Rooms/Gymnasium for rent, catered meals, etc.

Tell us how we can serve you better…if there is some way we can meet a community need, let us know

Add your name to the list of volunteers willing to be called when help is needed

Please don’t be worried about saying “no” when called if you can’t help with a specific event

Even if you can only help during one event per year, we’d still love to have you

Visit the “Communicate With Us” page and drop us a note if you want to be added to our volunteer list.