Once again the Packer Raffle reached new heights in 2017 setting a record of $22,341.23 in profits compared to last year’s record high of $21,659.16.  That is $847.37 more than the projected return and $682.07 more than earned in 2016.

The achievement was bolstered by the $500 donated by the Kohl’s Corporation which sent eight volunteers to help out at the September Tailgate Party.  This effort was arranged by Optimist member Steve Luehring, along with his wife Maribel, another club member who joined in the volunteer effort that night.

Contrasted to 2016 when 10 of the 18 prizes went to club members, only three Optimists shared in this year’s winnings.  A Larry Hebbring group, John Yusko and Becky Shull each won $250.  Otherwise, all the other prizes went to non-club members with many of the winners not even living in Menomonee Falls.  In fact, one winner resides in Texas!

The Grand Prize went to Greg Buck of Muskego who chose the Saints-Packer game on Oct. 22 for his trip.  Because of Aaron Rodgers’ injury and the forecasted rain, demand for tickets was down, so Ticket Connections, the broker annually used by the Optimists was able to move Buck and his gang into indoor club seats for the game.

Dorothy Kohn of Elkhorn took home the $1,000 runner up prize, Sal Zizzo of the Falls won the $600 third place award and Richard Steggeman of Brookfield copped the $400 fourth place money.  Other $250 winners were Peter Bartos, Hal Rosene (former Optimist club president), Rich Latus and Robert Tack of the Falls: Chuck Van Horne and Bruce LaPointe of Milwaukee; Jesse Leonhardt of Oconomowoc, Maripat Blankenheim of Hartford, Lane Whipp of Luxemburg, and  Bev Rodrigues of Cibolo, Texas.  Alan Sommers of Brookfield won a free entry to next year’s event.

Nearly 50 more people than last year attended the Tailgate Party.  But a check of the records showed that only 93 club members either sold or bought a ticket.  That compares to 130 who did so just two years ago!

Packer Raffle Chair: Ed Schlumpf

Packer Raffle Co-chairs: Del Kreuser, Dan Schwind, Joe Ludan