Friends of Library raffle a big success

The Friends of the Minneota Library's fundraiser raffle, as a replacement for the Chocolate Affair, was deemed a success after the winners of the 10 prize drawings worth over $1,100 were announced on Saturday.
The Friends of the Library sold all of the 500 tickets they had printed up for the raffle with proceeds to support the Library for Programs and Projects.
Ruth Bot, a member of the Friends of the Library, along with Layla Opdahl, drew the names of the winners. Opdahl was visiting the library that day with her mother, Kathy, and agreed to help with the drawing.
Dave Kimpe was the winner of a family photo session with Laura Buysse valued at $325. Other prize winners were: Joy Buysse, 2-night stay in a King Suite at AmericInn in Marshall valued at $260; Barbara Brown mean bundle from Brad's Market ($200); Gayle VanVooren, TASTE tickets for SMSU Culinary Restaurant ($64); Barb Okrina, Gislason's Ace Hardware gift care ($50); David Holy, AgPlus gift card ($50); Matt Bottelberghe, City Hall Bar & Grill gift card ($50); Sophie Johnson, Highway 68 Liquor gift card ($50); Jeff Van Keulen, Minneota Building Materials gift card ($50); and Mary Buysse, Minneota Mascot one-year subscription ($42).
The Chocolate Affair is an annual event held at the American Legion building to raise money for the library and includes a catered meal, sweets, silent auction, entertainment and more. But the event has been cancelled each of the past two years due to the pandemic.
"We are hoping to have the Chocolate Affair again next year in some shape or form," said Bot. "We want to thank everyone for buying a ticket and to the sponsors who donated prizes."
There are approximately 10 members of the Friends of the Minneota Library that help raise money for various needs of the library.
The Friends of the Library would like to thank all the businesses that contributed prize and/or sold tickets: Brad's Market, Gislason Ace Hardware, AgPlus, City Hall Bar & Grill, Minneota Building Center, TASTE: SMSU Culinary Restaurant, Minneota Mascot, Laura Buysse Family Photography, Americinn, This and That Recreated and Highway 68 Liquor.