By Jan Moody

The Cokeville PTO wrapped up a very successful raffle, on Tuesday, February 14, for half a pig cut and wrapped. The pig was donated by Zane and Carrie Groll. Monday, January 30 was the kickoff day.

Cokeville Elementary students were each given five tickets to sell. The PTO was hoping that if each student sold these tickets, the raffle would earn around $2,000. The goal was to earn enough money that when matched by a grant, the school could get a new playground. Students were presented the plan and immediately were fired up knowing that they were going to be a part of something special and would benefit and were excited about the idea of a new playground.

Within minutes of the students receiving their tickets and word getting out, PTO fundraising chairman, Jody Keetch knew that these amazing kids were going to far surpass the goal of $2000. She approached Principal Dietz and asked if an ice cream party could be earned if the students collectively earned a substantial amount of money. The new goal was set for $10,000. This was a lofty goal but one that Keetch believed the students could attain. They had only two weeks before the drawing would take place at the final home basketball game on Tuesday, February 14. It was announced that the top boy and girl who sold the most tickets would receive a hover board. The top class with the highest percentage of sales would receive a pizza party and if the students could raise $10,000, the entire school would be rewarded with an ice cream party.

The kids went to work calling grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends and neighbors. Daily the total began to climb. With just a couple days to go, the kids had reached an amazing $8,500, already exceeding initial hopes and expectations. The final day to turn in money and tickets was Monday, February 13, exactly two weeks from the start date. Excitement was high as the last of the tickets and monies came in.

Behind the scenes, members of the PTO were adding up and calculating the earnings. Finally the day came for the drawing. Between the girls and boys basketball games on February 14, a barrel was rolled out to the middle of the gym floor. Following a drumroll, it was announced that the earnings had not only exceeded the $2,000, the earnings had crushed the initial goal by over $9,000. The grand total was $11,085.

Presley Larson was the top seller for the girls and the entire school with 234 tickets. Sara Brooks came in second with 175. Daegan Gay was the top seller for the boys with 165 tickets followed by Andrik Longmore with 125. First Grade won the pizza party and the entire school won the ice cream party. Shawn Myers was the lucky winner whose name was drawn out.

But wait! The Grolls were so impressed with the hard work of the kids and the amazing support from everyone who bought tickets that they decided to donate the other half as well. Debby Modderman was the lucky winner of the second half. Ari Groll and Jace Brooks sold the winning tickets which earned each of them a Cokeville Panther blanket donated by DottiJo Pope.

Thanks to everyone who made this amazing raffle a huge success. Thanks to the Grolls for their generous donation. Thanks to the students who gave it their all.

Thanks to the amazing people who purchased tickets and thanks to the PTO for all their hard work. It’s amazing what can be accomplished when everyone works together! Way to go kids! YOU DID IT!