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Raffle benefits Rescue Mission
The Vindicator (Youngstown)
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Monica Roth, owner of Charly’s Restaurant in Austintown, has sold hundreds of raffle tickets and is giving away a 32-inch Phillips flat screen TV today. The money raised, nearly $3,000, will be given to the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley.
By Elise Franco
AUSTINTOWN
Monica Roth’s goal of raising $3,000 in one month wasn’t as far-reaching as she thought it would be.
Roth, the owner of Charly’s Restaurant on Kirk Road, raffled off a 32-inch Phillips flat-screen television today at the restaurant in the township.
The nearly $3,000 raised through the raffle, which ran from Nov. 16 to today, was donated to the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley, Roth said.
“I was surprised that we raised so much, but I said that we have to set the goal high and make it a challenge,” she said. “I’d just rather give than receive.”
Roth said it’s simply in her nature to want to give to others, especially around the holidays.
“I’ve been really lucky this year and was able to buy the restaurant,” she said. “It feels so good to give someone that money and know it’s going to people who need it.”
Roth said it was important to get the money to a cause that truly needed it.
“There are so many places in need it was hard to pick just one,” she said. “But we chose the [Rescue Mission] and wanted them to be able to use the money for whatever they need for the holiday.”
Roth, 45, of Austintown, said Charly’s former owner, Robert Bowers, always has been involved in community service and giving back to those in need. She said it was important to keep that alive.
“The previous owner has always been very generous,” she said. “He always gave to other people, especially customers.”
Roth said she worked for Bowers for 32 years, and in that time learned from him what it means to help those in need. When Roth bought the restaurant a year ago, she wanted to continue to instill his generosity in her employees.
“Everyone who works here pitched in and bought tickets,” she said.
Roth said she bought 20 tickets, and if her name is drawn she’ll donate the television, which was purchased out of her own pocket, to the Rescue Mission.
Sue Williams, 64, Roth’s mother and the assistant manager at Charly’s, said not only is this raffle an opportunity to give to the Rescue Mission, it’s also a chance to show appreciation for customers who have supported the business for decades.
“We’ve been so lucky because the restaurant has done great and given us all a good living,” she said. “It’s nice to give this away and give back.”
The raffle is something Roth said will become an annual fundraiser, hopefully helping many causes around the Mahoning Valley.
“I’d rather give than receive. ... It’s one thing my family has never had to worry about — going hungry,” she said.