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Neighbors | Zack Shively.The Austintown Eagles Ladies Auxiliary raised more than $3,925 for the Potential Development School for Students with Autism through a Quarter Raffle. The Chaplain of the Ladies Auxiliary, Ruth Kritter, organized the event with co-chair Sue DeVito, a trustee of the Ladies Auxiliary. Pictured are, from left, Kritter, Paul Garchar of Potential Development and DeVito.
By ZACK SHIVELY
The Austintown Eagles Ladies Auxiliary #3298 hosted a Quarter Raffle on Sept. 9 to raise money for Potential Development School for Students with Autism.
Ruth Kritter, Chaplain of the Ladies Auxiliary and chairman for the event, organized the event with cochair Sue DeVito, a trustee for the Ladies Auxiliary. The event raised $3,925.75.
Kritter said that Potential Development has a “loving and caring staff,“ and she wanted to give back to the school. Her grandson, Carson Ramsey, attends the school. She said that Ramsey has improved greatly since he began going to the school.
A portion of the proceeds will go to creating a playground on the school property. Ramsey had asked for one and Kritter agreed the schools should have one.
People and companies donated money and goods to the event, resulting in 150 baskets for the raffle. Kritter said Home Depot’s contributions to the benefit particularly surprised her because four different stores in the area helped out.
Potential Development School for Students with Autism is an education system ranging from preschool to twelfth grade dedicated to giving instructional needs to more than 160 students with autism and other special needs.
Paul Garchar, executive director at Potential Development, received the check from Kritter on Oct. 4. He spoke to the Ladies Auxiliary before their meeting that night. He called the funding a “tremendous gift” that will help the schools continue to grow.
The Ladies Auxiliary donates and raises funds for other causes as well. For example, they have done benefits for local citizens that have medical troubles. They also have previously worked with organizations like The American Heart Association and The American Cancer Society.
Money from the benefit also went toward a yearly scholarship fund that the Ladies Auxiliary gives to two students each year. The children receiving the scholarships must be seniors in high school and be the children of the Ladies Auxiliary.