RRCA has donated nearly $10,000 to local groups

Ken Johnston

It is all in the name.
The Rainy River Charitable Association (RRCA) just keeps on giving! In existence for about a year and a half now, the organization was formed to allow local groups to access fundraising activities like raffles and bingo.
To date they have held a 50/50 draw for the RR Rec. Board, two RRWT Boat Raffles, the annual Kenducky Derby race and a monster bingo. After all has been said and done they have already donated $9,772.99 to various causes.
Just last week they presented the Rainy River Rec. Board with a cheque for $5,455.07 towards their new fitness centre, now under construction. The breakdown on other donations is as follows:
•RR. Rec. $562.50
•4008 committee $500
•Riverview School $1,250
•RR Vol. Fire Dept. $750
•RR Reach for the Stars program $534.42
•RR Rec. $721
RRCA Sec./Treas. Norma Blight said that they accept applications from local groups wanting to hold a raffle, fill out the paperwork, oversee the raffle and then donate the proceeds back to the group. “We do not keep any of the money,” said Blight. However, they do take the costs of things like tickets out of the proceeds. It is a break even venture for them and a charitable one for many groups.
So who is eligible to apply for a raffle? Blight said just about anything to do with youth is eligible, but all who want to can fill out an application form. “We then take it to the town office and they determine if (the applicant) is eligible.”
Sitting on the RRCA board is Patti Bonhomme-Chair, Norma Blight, Wes Blight, Lisa Armstrong, Otto Budziak, Cory Larocque, Joe Bonhomme and Aaron Armstrong. Anyone wishing to join the board can do so. They meet quarterly.
Anyone seeking an application form or wanting more info. on RRCA can call Norma Blight at 852-3650.