SHS football raffle a huge success
<p>A handful of community members and businesses bought blocks of tickets for the recent SHS football car raffle. (Photo by ERIC PLUMMER)</p>
SANDPOINT — It’s a tradition that dates back to the days of legendary Sandpoint coach Cotton Barlow, and thanks to current head coach Satini Puailoa, the annual car raffle fundraiser was once again a raving success for the football program at Sandpoint.
Local Claudia Ashby had her name picked on Sunday, and is now the new owner of a vintage 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger. The 70 year-old isn’t sure yet what she’ll do with the car, but was thrilled to win after buying her $5 ticket while having some work done at Martin’s Alignment.
“It was very exciting. I couldn’t imagine what I’d do with the car,” said Ashby, who can remember Puailoa once speaking at her church. “He gave an inspirational talk at Sunday service and it was really inspiring.”
Puailoa was pleased to announce a new raffle record, with more than $54,000 raised for Bulldog football, which helps junior tackle players and high school players alike.
“There are two main goals. One, it’s easier for kids to be involved, and two, then equip them as safely as possible,” said Puailoa, rightly proud of buying new helmets and shoulder pads and replacing old equipment. “There’s not one lousy piece of equipment back there. It’s from the overall positive action by community involvement.”
This year there were 12 businesses that bought blocks of tickets, which supplements what the legions of football players sell during Lost in the 50s.
Puailoa wished to thank the following: Nick Pierce, from Pierce Auto Center; Brent and Nicole Eacret from the Alpine Shop; Chad Moore from 3 Bee Honey; Bill and Amanda Hiatt of Riverside Auto Center; Lisa Hooper from Liaison Catering; Corey and Lindsay Coon; Tim Bonine of Mt. View Family Medicine; Matt Burrows of Litehouse; Nichol Timothy of StudentAthleteWorld.com; Ken Pearlstein of Insight Distributing; Rod Engel of Schweitzer; and Carolyn Gleason for putting Lost in the 50s; NAPA Auto Parts and Martin’s Alignment.
He also wished to thank the players for their work in selling tickets, and community members for buying them. Each and every person has a stake in the success of Sandpoint football, from 3rd grade through 12th grade.
“Without stuff like this, it makes it hard to run the program,” said Puailoa. “You can draw a real correlation to the health of the program with all the people involved in it.”