Upping the college scholarship raffle ante

POST FALLS — The Post Falls Chamber of Commerce is adding another thrill to its college scholarship raffle to spur ticket sales.

The nonprofit has upped the ante by adding 15 Silverwood Theme Park tickets — a $700 value — to the raffle. To be eligible to win the Silverwood package, tickets need to be purchased by April 27.

The package, which can be used anytime during the 2016 season, will be among the early-bird prizes for those who buy their $50 raffle tickets for a $25,000 college scholarship to either North Idaho College, the University of Idaho or Lewis-Clark State College.

"We're going to have a giveaway every six weeks (leading up to the scholarship raffle) to motivate early sales," said chamber of commerce President and CEO Pam Houser. "The names of people who win the early prizes will go back into the drawing for the college scholarship."

The Silverwood drawing will be on April 28. Other early-bird drawings, with the prizes to be announced, will be held on July 10 during the Post Falls Festival and in September.

"So the earlier you purchase your ticket, the more drawings you are in," Houser said.

Only 1,000 raffle tickets will be sold. The college scholarship drawing will be held on Nov. 30 if the tickets are not sold out sooner. About 150 tickets have been sold.

Tickets can be purchased at www.postfallschamber.com, the chamber of commerce office, Super 1 Foods in Post Falls or at any of the three colleges in Coeur d'Alene.

Jessica Bauman, owner of Express Employment Professionals in Post Falls, bought tickets for herself, her son and each of her staff members.

"It's a great way to provide hope for students wanting to further their skills," she said.

Houser said there is a lot of latitude on how the scholarship can be applied at the three schools, including for a master's degree if someone wants to return to school, take a vocational program, or even apply the winning ticket toward their kids' or grandkids' education.

"There is no age restriction to the person who will benefit from the scholarship," Houser said. "It can be used for an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree — really any type of continued education."

The scholarship will be applied toward tuition and fees, books or school supplies for students working toward a four-year degree, not for room and board, transportation, moving or other purposes.

With up to 1,000 tickets being sold, that would generate a total of $50,000 if the raffle sells out. Any money up to $25,000 after the funding for the scholarship is raised will go toward the chamber of commerce's education programs.

Houser said working with education and providing a trained workforce for the community has been a focus at the chamber of commerce in recent years, including with industry tours, the Reverse Job Fair, college scholarships awarded and students of the month recognized.

Those who purchase tickets must be 18 or older. You do not need to be present at the drawing to claim the scholarship. The scholarship will not be awarded as cash.

Once the scholarship is activated, the claimant has six years from the date of activation to complete his or her education.

"We believe it's great odds and will make for a great gift for someone," Houser said. "We're excited to partner with higher education and, by purchasing a ticket, you're contributing to education programs in the community."

For more information, call 773-5016 or visit www.postfallschamber.com.