Raffle to benefit senior center

Amanda Young, administrator of the Callaway Senior Center, receives a black BMW to be raffled as a fundraiser. The drivable toy car was donated to the center by members of Prairie Chapel United Methodist Church at County Road 227, according to member Bev Gray. Also shown are church members Nancy Rice and Rick Matson.
Amanda Young, administrator of the Callaway Senior Center, receives a black BMW to be raffled as a fundraiser. The drivable toy car was donated to the center by members of Prairie Chapel United Methodist Church at County Road 227, according to member Bev Gray. Also shown are church members Nancy Rice and Rick Matson.

With mouths to feed and funds dwindling, members of Prairie Chapel United Methodist Church decided to help out the Callaway Senior Center with a shiny black BMW to raffle.

It’s not the full-sized, $40,000 model, but it gets better mileage. Battery powered, this a ride-on children’s version, and if you purchase a raffle ticket, it could be yours.

“We’re raffling it off, and so far, doing very nicely with it,” said Pat Grabb, who cooks for seniors at the center. “We have a shortfall of funding for meals for the home bound.”

People at the senior center, administrated by Amanda Young, were discussing ways of raising funds recently, Grabb said.

“The week before, a lady said, ‘I think we should go to the car dealers and see if we can get a car to auction off,’” she added.

The idea was quickly discounted because a car auction is a big task, Grabb said. But then church members appeared with the children’s toy, large enough for a kid to get in and drive around.

“It’s so cute; it’s very nice,” she said.

Bev Gray, a member of Prairie Chapel UMC, said they were happy to donate the car, and another donation will soon be announced to help raise funds for another community organization.

“You can get in the car and drive it yourself,” she said. “Your little 5-year-old child can get in it and vroom all over the neighborhood.”

Tickets for this raffle can be purchased at the Callaway Senior Center, 531 Commons Drive, during open hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. The tickets, according to Gray, are $1 each or six for $5.

Also scheduled to benefit the senior center is the 2016 Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, set for 6:30 a.m. Thursday. Tickets are $15 each.

The Callaway Senior Center has a variety of activities, including pool tournaments, meals and Tai chi. For more information on activities, meals and raffles, call 573-642-2458.