Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 5/11/2021
SOUTHWICK – Our Lady of the Lake Parish is seeking donations for its raffle basket fundraiser. Baskets, with a value of $50 and higher, should be donated to the church by noon May 23. The goal of the raffle is to help recoup the church’s pandemic losses. Parish Administrative Assistant Kim Rood said this is the church’s first raffle basket event. “The proceeds will go to our church to help with the deficit caused by the losses incurred from COVID,” she said. Tickets for the raffle baskets are $5 each or $40 for 10 and are on sale now at the church after Mass as well as online at ollsouthwick.org or by calling Rood at 569-0161. Tickets for a door prize are also on sale for $10 each. Door prizes include four tickets to the July 24 Red Sox/Yankees game at Fenway Park, a $500 Amazon card and $250 Airbnb gift card. Our Lady of the Lake, like other nonprofits, businesses and families, felt the financial strain of the pandemic. “The impact is being felt especially with the rise in costs for fuel and basic everyday items,” Rood said, adding that organizers hope the raffle baskets will not only raise funds but bring joy to the recipient. “We really just want this to be a fun and exciting opportunity for everyone to do something different and get away from the screen for a minute, think outside the box, be creative and imaginative,” she said, noting that the public is encouraged to purchase tickets. “The door prizes were chosen with that in mind . . . giving people a chance to go out and ‘be’ again. We are hoping that the Door Prize raffle will encourage people as well, considering the grand prize is a four-pack of tickets to the Red Sox vs. Yankees game at Fenway on Saturday, July 24.” Raffle baskets are valued at $50 and up and include various themes, such as an artist basket, baby basket, baking basket, fishing basket, hair care, wine, gardening and more. Donations of raffle basket items are being accepted until May 23. Basket photos will be posted on the parish Facebook page. Rood said more communicants are coming back to Mass in person, however “there are still a lot of fearful people. I just wish they believed in the Power of God,” said Rood. “We have done amazing keeping this church safe and as Father has said countless times, it’s safer to be in our church than at the local supermarket, Walmart or Costco.” The parish, located at 224 Sheep Pasture Road, has returned to in-person and virtual streaming for its Praise & Worship ministry on the first Tuesday of every month. “That has brought much joy and healing to many,” said Rood. “At the beginning of the shutdown our parish started a Rosary conference call every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. This has been an enormous success and to this day, still continues to grow. I believe this will be a tremendous ministry going forward.” To join the Rosary, call 712-432-3900, Conference ID: 226058. The call begins at 6:50 p.m. The raffle will be drawn June 13 following 10 a.m. Mass. Winners do not need to be present.