By now, everyone knows that staying home can benefit the struggling amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
But it can specifically benefit them on Nov. 13.
Columbus Regional Health Foundation’s Reverse Raffle “House Party 25: Quarantining For a Cause” unfolds online at 7 p.m. that day with a link at crh.org/raffle. The event normally is held at a gala-style gathering such as The Commons before more than 400 people with a meal, live music, and of course, the raffle that winds down to a $10,000 prize.
All that supports VIMCare Clinic, which helps low-income, Bartholomew County residents patients eligible for Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act marketplace, as well as the uninsured. The event is the largest, single fundraiser for that entity.
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This time, though there obviously will be no meal, there will be live music from The Woomblies Rock Orchestra, among the favorite Indianapolis-based ensembles to perform locally over the past decade. The group, which plays everything from Electric Light Orchestra to Radiohead to the Beatles, last performed in Columbus as the opening act for the 2019 Our Hospice of South Central Indiana concert.
“We’re super excited,” said Rebekah Walsh, Columbus Regional Health’s director of volunteer services and annual fundraising, referring to the 15-person organizing committee. “We’re working as hard as possible to make it as interactive as possible.”
Plus, she mentioned that organizers have been remarkably upbeat while planning its first-ever virtual fundraiser.
“We’re trying not to think in terms of being at a disadvantage,” Walsh said.
Probably no need to do so, considering that Our Hospice set a fundraising record in September with its virtual concert with Yacht Rock Revue, performing via livestream from Atlanta, Georgia.
The Reverse Raffle committee already saw success with fundraising as long ago as August, with people making donations based upon what they would have spent on the meal at a standard Reverse Raffle. Others already have purchased one of the 500 raffle tickets.
“Now, are we going to have as big a net total as we have in the past?” Walsh asked. “It might be a little bit of a challenge, with a lot of the businesses that have supported us in the past currently struggling. But we feel like we still have some great sponsorships lined up.”
Part of that is because organizers began calling on supporters as early as June this year, knowing that a different arrangement might require more time to make successful.
All that translates to a net goal of $120,000. Last year’s event netted $169,000 with 422 people attending.
Walsh pointed out that the need for help for patients is greater than last year. Through June, the clinic was averaging 100 patients visits more than through the same period last year, according to Walsh.
“So the need is still very great,” she said.
Walsh remains confident of the community’s push to make House Party 25 a success.
“People know,” she said, “that we’re a good philanthropy to support.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”About the event” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
What: House Party 25: Quarantining For a Cause, Columbus Regional Health Foundation’s annual Reverse Raffle to benefit the uninsured and the underinsured at the local VIMCare Clinic.
When: 7 p.m. Nov. 13.
Where: At a link to be posted at crh.org/raffle as the date gets closer.
Music: The Woomblies Rock Orchestra.
For raffle tickets and to make donations: crh.org/raffle
To purchase raffle tickets: Text 2020tickets to (202) 858-1233
To make a donation: Text 2020donate to (202) 858-1233
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