Fundraising Activities

On March 19, 2005, The Rotary Club of Jonesboro-University will host the 23rd Annual Pot O' Gold Party.   Two hundred tickets will be sold at $175.00 apiece.   The price of the ticket includes dinner for two, unlimited "adult beverages", and four sets of music by a live band for dancing.   In addition to this, we have live and silent auctions.   We also solicit Corporate Sponsors for $500, which includes one ticket to the event, signage at the event, and a listing in our event program.   Last year, we sold 15 Corporate Sponsors.

The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. and is held around St. Patrick's Day.   Each ticket is numbered 1 through 200.   We put numbered ping pong balls in a hopper and begin drawing numbers.   The first number drawn receives their ticket price back ($175.00).    We draw an additional 74 numbers and then break for dancing.   After the first set of dancing, we draw an additional 75 numbers.   Positions 2 through 150 are call "Wine and a Shot".   These people receive a numbered bottle of wine.   We take these numbers and draw eight winners that receive a varying amount of cash.   Last year, we gave out $1500.00 cash.   There were five $100 winners, one $200 winner, one $300 winner, and one $500 winner.   Dancing continues throughout the night and the drinks flow freely!!!

We continue drawing numbers with breaks for dancing.   Positions 151 through 197 receive a price that is donated by local businesses.   They range from movie passes with dinner to a set of tires.   Also throughout the night, we have Lucky Leprechauns selling Sweepstake tickets for $5 each.   When we get down to the last three remaining numbers, we draw one Sweepstake ticket and that individual is back in the drawing.   Also, we auction of one spot in the final five.   After the final five ticket numbers are determined, we begin drawing positions again.    The final number is drawn around midnight and the winner receives $10,000 in cash!!!   We also allow those final five individuals make deals or split the $10,000.   However, if one person does not want to deal, we continue drawing positions.

We typically raise $26,000 to $30,000 on the event.   This includes proceeds from the live and silent auctions, corporate sponsors, Second Chance ticket sales, and event ticket sales.   We decorate in an Irish theme with a rainbow with a Pot O' Gold at the end of the rainbow.