BTABC Reverse Draw massive success

The Belton Tiger Athletic Booster Club (BTABC) held their annual fundraiser on April 29 at the Bell County Expo Center. This year marks the first draw reverse raffle combined with a silent auction. Funds raised will be used for the 18 sport team banquets, BEEF scholarships for graduating seniors of Belton High School and smaller events throughout the year such as The Big Red Relays.

Over 20 theme-filled baskets lined the window-covered wall as participants placed their desired monetary pledge. Basket themes included A&M University, Movie Night, UMHB Baseball, Belton Swim, Xbox 360, and Belton Football apparel. The baskets were donated by the multiple sport programs within the Belton Independent School District to include swimming, powerlifting, football, baseball, basketball, volleyball, and golf. The dollar value required for each basket was $250; several baskets reached over $1000.

Each member of the club was given the task of selling 200 raffle tickets at $100 each to individual residents and businesses in the community. In a reverse raffle all the losing numbers are drawn first in 10 ticket increments until 10 tickets remain. The goal of the participants is to be in possession of one of the remaining 10 tickets. The BTABC, along with Auctioneer Jeff Parker, drew all numbers until eight tickets remained; one remaining ticket was raffled and one ticket was auctioned to complete the 10 winning spots. The remaining 10 ticket holders had the opportunity to win high-valued prizes to include a Cowboy Cooker, self-standing BBQ grill, Big Green Egg Grill, Yeti coolers, a spa package, golf package, Vizio Television, and the grand prize, a John Deere Gator valued approximately $7000.

“I stayed in there (the top 10 spots) for my kids. This was a wonderful fundraiser. I would have donated anything back but the Belton BBQ Pit because I am a Belton boy and the Gator because my kids have wanted one ever since they could talk. We hunt and fish, so this will be great. The Gator is the very first thing I have ever won,” said grand prize winner Chad Harriet of Belton.