LA GRANGE, IL — February 4, 2021 – Small businesses in La Grange could receive a different type of shot in the arm when they split the proceeds from a community raffle to raise relief funds for La Grange businesses affected by the pandemic which launched this week.
For individuals who purchase $10 raffle tickets through March 14, three will collect prize baskets filled with $3000 in gift cards that have been provided by participating restaurants, retailers and wellness businesses. Proceeds from all ticket sales will be shared equally by all of the participating businesses.
The three winners will be announced live on Facebook on March 16 at noon.
Organized by the La Grange Business Association (LGBA), the presenting sponsor of the raffle is Burcor Properties, a property management and development company, with support from Catherine Dugan LaBelle of LaBelle Sells.
Junior Pinal, an owner of Aracely’s Bakery, is promoting the raffle on his personal and business social media accounts and is optimistic about the success of the raffle. “We’re very fortunate to be in a supportive community that looks for ways to help small businesses,” he said.
The 28 small businesses on the receiving end have committed to do their part, too. Each donated three $100 gift cards and each has a goal of selling at least 100 $10 tickets. They also must post the raffle on their social media outlets with a link to the website for ticket sales. This makes it easy to purchase and track tickets sold by each business.
“The pandemic has affected all of our businesses in so many ways, but restaurant, retailers and wellness businesses have been hit particularly hard through the mitigations,” said Joe Kroc, a board member of the LGBA and the raffle chairperson. “The goal of this community fundraiser is to reinforce the message that we really are all in this together. It’s up to us to try and lift each other up.”
Tickets may be purchased at http://lgba.rallyup.com/supportlocal/. Posters that are displayed in store windows also have a QR code that directs people to the ticket sales website.
“For a small business, every day is different, and every dollar is critical,” said Nancy Cummings, the executive director of the La Grange Business Association. “In order to survive, they have to continually adapt. We’re optimistic that the community will rally around the La Grange businesses that they love in order to give them a little more breathing room until things improve.”