Austintown Rotary is planning a reverse raffle

Photo

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR Austintown Rotary met recently to plan its annual reverse raffle scheduled for March 8 at the Maronite Center. Raffle leaders, from left, are Tracy Kaglic, chairwoman of the basket auction; Deanna Spirko, chairwoman of tickets; Mark Cole, president; and Mike Cafaro, chairman of the committee.

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Rotary Club of Austintown members are preparing for its annual reverse raffle March 8 at the Maronite Center, 1555 S. Meridian Road.

This event will begin with an open bar and dinner at 7 p.m. followed by cash prizes equalling $2,000.

Members are collecting items for the basket auction and selling dinner tickets for $150 per couple. Call for tickets at 330-881-4929.

The event helps provide funds for scholarships, leadership training, the elementary reading program, free dictionaries, special appeals and the winter coat distribution.

At a recent meeting, Debbie Esbenschade of Youngstown, district governor, presented Mark Cole, president, with a lapel pin for his leadership. She also presented a certificate to the club for its participation in Operation Warm, which provided district children with 3,200 new coats for the winter. This was an increase from six clubs’ participation last year to 47 clubs’ joining the effort this year.

The club also was given a building summary of the new Austintown elementary and intermediate schools, which were built with combined local and state funds. The buildings are up to date, energy efficient and technologically planned. Tracy Kaglic, Rotary member, was the lead architect.