The Charlotte County Education Foundation recently held a drawing at the David Bruce Building to support local students.

During the event, students from Charlotte County Public Schools drew the winning names for three prizes.

De’Nashia Craighead, Phenix Elementary, drew the first-place ticket; Lindsay Locke, Eureka Elementary, drew the second-place ticket and Joy-Den Wilson, Bacon District Elementary, drew the third-place ticket.

“Thank you parents for bringing your children, and thank you children for coming to help us tonight,” said Charlotte County Education Foundation Chair Marjorie Pugh during the event. “We thought it would be nice for you to be the ones to draw, because this is all about the children.”

Winners and their prizes according to the foundation included Kendall Whirley, who received a weekend getaway to Emerald Island, North Carolina; Sherry Anderson, who received a $100 gift card or savings bond and Donna Green, who received a dinner for two at The Fishin’ Pig.

“I want to thank everyone who was involved in selling our tickets,” said Pugh. “We feel like this has been a very successful fundraiser, and we are all excited about it.”

The raffle served as the foundation’s first major fundraising opportunity since its re-establishment.

Tickets were sold for $5 each or six tickets for $25.

“We have appointed a committee now that will start working with the principals at the beginning of the year so we will be dispersing some funds for some students who need some special things,” Pugh said.

According to an October press release from the foundation, “The Charlotte County Education Foundation was re-established during 2017. The volunteer board of directors meets monthly for the purpose of raising funds to support the students of Charlotte County Public Schools. Many Charlotte County churches, civic groups and businesses have supported the foundation through donations.”

The release also said the foundation can accept donations, which could include memorials, and the funds raised would support students through financial aid opportunities. Financial aid opportunities could include field trips and extra-educational opportunities