Split the Pot Raffle, a real win-win – Tara Smith

As a part of the Public Affairs/Community Relations department, I get the chance to help run events for the Twins Community Fund and local charities. One way we raise money is the “Split the Pot Raffle” which happens at Saturday Twins games. One lucky winner at the ballpark will take home HALF the total money raised from that day’s raffle. The designated charity for that game will then take the other half. That’s a pretty good deal if you ask me!

Last Saturday, I was the coordinator for Save A Life Initiative’s (SALI) raffle. According to SALI’s website, “The mission of the Save A Life Initiative is to provide resources to foster healthy communities by increasing suicide awareness and prevention for youth and young adults.” SALI’s voluntary staff during the raffle was very energetic and hard working. When sellers are aggressive like this, the higher the pot! There were also many “generous” bachelor and bachelorette parties roaming around, which didn’t hurt either.

For five innings, SALI sold raffle tickets to fans for $2 a ticket, $5 for three tickets and $10 for seven tickets. By the end of the 7^th inning, a random ticket is selected and the name is announced on the jumbotron. The ending sales amount was more than $5,800. SALI went home Saturday with half the proceeds. Certainly not a bad day of fund raising by any means.

So, if the next Twins game you attend is on a Saturday, visit the Community Fund kiosk on the Target Field concourse to buy a raffle ticket. Who knows, you could be the lucky fan who leaves the game a whole lot richer!