Fayette County raffle raises thousands to fight cancer
- The Christmas tree raffle in Fayette County features 130 fully decorated trees up for grabs for just $2 per ticket.
- Initiated seven years ago by Sherry Maczko and her daughter, the raffle has raised significant funds for cancer support, increasing from $8,000 in the first year to $39,100 last year.
- The event fosters community participation and emotional connections, illustrating the impact of collective efforts in fighting cancer.
In Fayette County, a holiday tradition has taken root as a group organizes a Christmas tree raffle to support cancer research. The event has grown exponentially since its inception seven years ago when Sherry Maczko and her daughter initiated it as a fundraiser for their Relay for Life team named 'Too Inspired to be Tired.' Aiming to provide assistance for families affected by cancer, the raffle features fully decorated artificial Christmas trees, each uniquely themed and generously donated by community members and businesses. Over the years, the raffle has evolved, starting with just 18 trees and raising $8,000 in its first year to over 104 trees and $39,100 last year. The event sees participation from individuals and families across a wide range of locations, with some traveling from as far as North Carolina and Maryland to take part. The trees come complete with ornaments, ribbons, bows, tree skirts, and gifts underneath, making them even more appealing to potential winners. Sherry Maczko, motivated by personal loss from cancer in her family, expressed the emotional connection that each tree carries, noting that many participants share similar stories of loss and support within the community. The raffle takes place at the former Rue 21 store at Uniontown Mall, where 130 trees are currently on display, each representing a story of hope and remembrance. The organizers also incentivized joining the raffle with promotional offers, such as buy-two-get-one-free tickets during the Black Friday weekend. The event remains open until December 14, when the winners will be announced via live drawing on their Facebook page or in-store. As a unifying event for Fayette County, it exemplifies how communities can come together to raise awareness and funds for significant causes, especially concerning health and familial support. The growth in participation and donations reflects the strong bonds formed among community members and a collective desire to fight cancer together.