Big winners at Wasco Rotary festival

The Wasco Rotary Club held its annual Fall Festival fundraiser last week at the Wasco Elks Lodge, featuring a steak dinner, silent auction, 50/50 drawing and a reverse raffle with a $5,000 grand prize.

The last five ticket holders, Greg Lane, Itze Rodriguez, Kenneth Newman, Ross Shafer and Clara Acosta, each received $1,000 after choosing to split the pot. US Bank Manager Rodriguez shared, "It's exciting. Especially tonight when the energy in here was so special. I'm going to take out my team for Christmas dinner and buy a bottle of wine for everyone."

Joe Acevedo, who attended with his wife, Sylvia, called the event "a town reunion," adding, "Hanging out with friends for a good cause is always good."

Club President Joshua Huddleston said about the funds raised, "I am optimistic about the difference we will be able to make in the community, and around the world, over the coming year with the funds raised through the Rotary Festival. From supporting the Christmas Parade next month to building another clean water well in sub-Saharan Africa, the funds raised will allow our club to make an impact far beyond what any of us could accomplish individually."

Member Larry Pennell, a Rotarian since 1994, praised the event's atmosphere, saying, "It was a very festive and well-attended annual event. My hat goes off to Tony Stout for the overall planning of the event. The fellowship we enjoyed setting up the room together the day before was really enjoyable. I enjoy getting together with fellow Rotarians, and it was a perfect example of it. Kevin Tallon, our Master of Ceremonies, did a masterful job of moving events along during dinner. You can count on Kevin for a job well done."

Tallon commented, "We have a great team, and everybody enjoys helping out in different ways. Wasco Rotary is incredibly grateful to the community for supporting the reverse raffle. It is our main fundraiser and allows us to give back to various causes in the community." He added, "This year's response was amazing, and we are very thankful. I always enjoy the end of the evening and the drama that comes with finding out if the final five are willing to split. It's always nice to see someone's night made great by winning the large amount as well."

Member Rosalinda Chairez gave the invocation, "putting the reverse raffle in God's hands." She noted, "I absolutely loved tonight's atmosphere! Especially as I look and see the happy, supportive familiar faces that have been there for Wasco Rotary Club for years! The highlight for me is getting an opportunity to gather with people who are local and make our Wasco community feel like home."

Event chair Tony Stout expressed his gratitude to the sponsors, including Grocery Outlet, Strata Credit Union, Peters Funeral Home, Almendros, Richland Chevrolet, Brown-Armstrong CPA, Supreme Almonds, Dr. Wolfgang Renken, Hall Ambulance, SC Architect Inc., Superior Soil Supplements, Pat Ketcherside and Wasco Chiropractic.