Community story
For more than a decade, the Knights of Columbus Hall 364 in Springfield, Illinois, has turned its Queen of Hearts raffle into something much bigger than a chance to win a life-changing jackpot.
For more than a decade, the Knights of Columbus Hall 364 in Springfield, Illinois, has turned its Queen of Hearts raffle into something much bigger than a chance to win a life-changing jackpot.
Since the first drawing in September 2013, the raffle has brought people together week after week — filling the hall with friends, neighbors, volunteers and, of course, plenty of anticipation as another card is drawn.
Over the years, the numbers have become pretty remarkable:
More than $1,300,000 in cash prizes has been awarded to Queen of Hearts winners since the raffle began. The biggest jackpot in the raffle's history reached an incredible $625,549.
Happy winners showing off their checks at the hall.
But the biggest impact isn't measured by the jackpots.
More than $388,000 has gone to local charities and community organizations through the years — supporting more than 100 different causes.
Those dollars have helped Springfield Catholic schools, Honor Flight, Helping Hands Breakfast, St. John's Breadline and countless other organizations doing good work throughout the community.
And that's what makes a raffle like this special. The excitement of the jackpot brings people through the doors, but the money raised keeps working long after the winning card is drawn.
Behind every drawing is a group of volunteers making it happen — setting up tables, serving food, selling tickets, running the computers, cooking in the kitchen and making sure everyone has a good time. It's a great example of what happens when a community comes together around a shared tradition.
The kitchen crew keeping everyone fed on drawing night.
From the volunteers working behind the scenes to the winners proudly holding their checks, the Queen of Hearts at Council 364 has become part of the fabric of Springfield.
Another lucky winner — all smiles on drawing night.
Congratulations to the Knights of Columbus Council 364 on more than a decade of giving, serving and bringing people together. Here's to the next jackpot — and all the good that comes with it!
That's what community raffles are really about: creating a little excitement, having a lot of fun, and giving back to the people who make our communities great.
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