Grab a ticket, lend your support, and maybe take home a fabulous prize for the fifth annual Maple Splash Raffle, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Burton Middlefield
By Mary Malik
Since 1951, the Rotary Club of Burton Middlefield (RBM) has been serving the need of veterans, disabled members of the community, the homeless, women, children and others in need. The list of organizations and projects RBM has supported is long and continuing these good works takes money. With the help of many sponsors, RBM also works to raise the funding to support their growing efforts to serve.
This year, for the fifth year in a row, RBM presents the Maple Splash Raffle 2023.
“Maple Splash Raffle is an ongoing event that we kicked off in January with a $1,000 cash drawing,” RBM member Larry Fox, says. “A $1,000 drawing takes place monthly leading up to the main event, the Maple Splash Festival held on Saturday, July 8.”
There’s still time to buy your tickets for the Wednesday, May 31, drawing and the great news is they’re on sale. Exclusively for the May drawing, tickets are $20 each, or 7 tickets for $100.
“You can buy tickets online or at any sponsor location,” Larry says. “We appreciate all the local businesses that support RBM throughout the year. It’s a long list so check the website for one near you.”
The Maple Splash Festival on Saturday, July 8, will take place from 4–9 p.m. at the Burton Century Village. Food, fun, prizes, music and more is in store for all ages and the Ace Molar Band with Todd Meany of Fox 8 will be performing.
“The drawing for our grand prize, a 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 Crew LT 4WD, will be held at 8 p.m.,” Larry says. “Donated by The Chevy Network and Preston Chevrolet in Burton, the truck is one of many great prizes donated by local businesses. We’re raffling off everything from vacation packages, kayaks and portable generators to fine diamond jewelry, an e-bike, motorcycle and several cash prizes. A complete list and details are available on the website along with ticket information.”
The Maple Splash Raffle is the RBM’s only fundraiser each year and was started by Larry Fox five years ago. Always able to help local charities and organizations to some degree, RBM wanted to increase its presence in the community and, to put it very simply, do more.
“I’ve always been extremely passionate about helping those in need,” Larry says. “After a life-changing accident I found myself with more time. The Rotary is the largest service organization in the world. They’re credited with eradicating polio, bringing clean water to towns throughout the world, providing shelter boxes distributed after national disasters, and providing tent housing, cooking materials and basic needs for a family of four to survive. We knew we could do more right here, but we needed the funding.”
Maple Splash Raffle has allowed RBM to increase its response to the needs of this community.
“We offer veterans services, supply food pantries, support homeless shelters, and support local organizations like Red Tulip, Harriet Tubman Foundation and Geauga Faith Rescue Mission. Our scholarship program with Kent State Geauga funds continuing education for students interested in the medical field.”
None of this can happen without the help of the community. And you can do that by purchasing tickets and attending the Maple Splash Festival on July 8. Rain or shine, bring the family, join the fun, and help the RBM continue its good work in this community. And, who knows, you just might drive home in a brand-new Chevy truck.
For more information on the Maple Splash Raffle and Festival, check the website MapleSplashRaffle.com and information on the RBM check BurtonRotary.org or on Facebook.