September 25, 2009 was a night filled with excitement, entertainment and expectation as ABC supporters packed Republic New Orleans for their annual Super Raffle.
The 2009 ABC New Orleans/Bayou Chapter “Burning Up the Night” Super Raffle gave the patrons a red carpet treatment with a photo-op in front of the sponsor banner. As they entered, they were treated to a carnaval atmosphere with jugglers, fire breathers and aerialists. Emcee, WDSU Sports Reporter Fletcher Mackel, awarded the first prize of the night to Francis Roemer (F.H. Myers Construction Corporation) for selling 14 tickets, the most sold by an individual. In the spirit of fundraising, she donated the money to the Annual Board of Director’s Scholarship Fund, which is awarded to a deserving student for tuition each year.
Everyone spent most of the night mingling with other supporters, bidding on their favorite Silent Auction item and watching as, one by one, names were eliminated from the competition. As the night progressed, expectation grew in those lucky few whose name remained on the board as they knew they still had a shot at the $10,000 prize. In the end, it came down to the final two, Mary Exnicios (Crescent Door and Hardware) and Mike Rotolo (RCI), each deciding that it was better to split the prize than to chance loosing it all.
The event was a huge success, raising almost $15,000 for ABC's school and raising awareness that we are in the community training in the crafts needed for our industry. Many thanks go out to all of those who supported ABC New Orleans/Bayou Chapter by selling tickets, purchasing tickets, coming to the event and bidding on Silent Auction Items.
A huge thank you goes out to our Event Sponsors - Chailland Business Services, Elite Portable Restrooms, FastSigns, Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr and Smith, and Perque Flooring for helping to make this year’s Super Raffle possible. Special thanks also goes to our In-Kind Sponsors for the wonderful Silent Auction and Mini-Raffle items donated. They are: Ed Cockrell, DesignLab, Elite Cuts, Rodney Landry, MignonFaget, Paris Parker, Perque Flooring, Planet Beach – Chalmette and Riverbend, Steve Martin Studio, Stephen Toups, Brick Oven Café, Industrial Welding Supply, Quick Stop Car Wash and Lube Express, Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group, Smiley’s Restaurant, Smoothie King, Joel Thames, Transportation New Orleans and Urban Earth.
Hope to see everyone next year!