In a recent media release for the Shelby Boys & Girls Club, Dr. Jack Weller noted how the price of new cars rises every year. So, this year, said Weller, the Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland County (BGCCC) has decided to continue doing the Benefit Car Raffle without a vehicle.

Weller said the Grand Prize is $15,000 in cash, less applicable taxes, and the drawing will be held at the LeGrand Center on Friday, June 17, beginning with registration and a social time at 6 p.m. to allow attendees to bid on items in the live and silent auction.

"The Reverse Raffle Drawing starts at 7 p.m.," said Weller. "About midway through the event, there will be a live auction, with Evan Thompson being the guest auctioneer."

Chris Carter, of Carter Chevrolet, announced at a special called Board meeting, that although the dealership cannot provide a car for the raffle, they would like to be the lead sponsor of this Carless Car Raffle with a $5,000 donation.

For the last two years, the Club had to do the drawing virtually, Weller noted, holding the event in the BGCCC Teen Center and broadcasting the event live streaming and on Facebook with only Board members and staff at the event.

BGCCC executive director Josh Propst said Chris's information was a "wonderful surprise" and will help the Club raise funds to finance 10 Club sites set to open this fall.

Said Dr. Weller, "We will sell 500 tickets at $100 each. This contribution will provide additional needed funds to staff the after-school sites that will open this fall at Fallston, Springmore, and Elizabeth elementary schools as well as the current sites at Casar and Kings Mountain elementaries. Hope Church in Lawndale will serve Burns Middle School students. Children will continue to attend the Main Club and the Teen Center on W. Sumter Street."

Weller said over the past 40 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland County (BGCCC) has had a Car Raffle Fundraiser. The Board members had the idea to have a yard sale at the Club in the early 60s to raise funds for the Club. Once the new Club House was built, the group started the car raffle fundraiser, working with a local car dealer, offering a vehicle as the Grand Prize for the lucky ticket holder. Starting with 200 tickets sold at $100 each, over the years, the number of tickets has increased. Now, said Weller, the Club sells 500 tickets at $100 each with Board members and friends of the Club working to sell the tickets in the community.

Long-time Board members, Dr. Faye Burton and Mable Fronberger have coordinated the Car Raffle and Silent and Live Auctions, stated Weller.

"One of the things we do unique to the BGCCC is that most of the people who buy a ticket have been with us almost all of those 40 years. They want the same number every year, making it a little more complicated," said Dr. Burton. "We are fortunate to have businesses that work with us to offer prizes and provide Silent and Live Auction items each year."

The event is held the Friday before Father's Day. In 2008, Elwyn Stillwell and Phillip Philbeck, a local artist, began to provide a framed Philbeck print as one of the live auction items. Following Elwyn's death in 2009, his daughter, Tracy, and Philbeck continued to offer the framed print as a donation to the live auction.

Weller said there are a few tickets left for the event.

"Go to bgccleveco.org and look for the Purchase Raffle Ticket box at the bottom of the page. You will be able to pay for your ticket online, and the Club will have a record of your purchase at the LeGrand Center the night of the event," he added.