Cash Night Gets "CRAZY" Once Again

Crazy Cash is open for business!

It was another great event for the Manchester Kiwanis Club as the annual Crazy Cash Night drew to a close late on Saturday evening.

"Early numbers indicate we will once again exceed our fund-raising expectations," said Pat Vailliencourt, one of the coordinators of the night's activities. "This year's proceeds will be distributed to nine different Manchester projects and organizations."

Recipients of the funding helped to sell 197 tickets to the reverse raffle and about 50 additional volunteers helped the myriad of Kiwanis members who work the popular event.

After auctioning off the last two tickets with bids of $600 and $1,050, the last five attendees in the drawing were given the option of "Deal or No Deal." The final two tickets in the draw had a 1 in 9 chance of winning either $1,000 or $5,000.

"One person held out, so we eliminated someone with another draw," Vailliencourt explained. "The remaining four decided to split the $6,000 jackpot, and each won $1,500."

In the end, winners were Bonnie Hertler, Tom Ash, Becky Penrose, and the Rare Tool Group.

"In addition to the final $6,000, we gave away another $8,800 in cash prizes, plus two iPads, two flat-screen TVs, three $500 Cabela's gift cards, two stainless steel grills, and about 100 merchandise prizes donated by various local businesses and individuals," Vailliencourt added.

Now in its 16th year, the Manchester Kiwanis Club remains in awe of the unbelievable support it receives from merchants, volunteers, and attendees for the Crazy Cash Night event. Over the years, more than $260,000 has been invested back into the Manchester community from the raffle.

All photos courtesy of Cindy Kenney.

The raffle had record sales on the 50/25/25 drawings! Pictured are two winners.

New volunteers get some training before the event begins

Ron Kohmescher, Sidney Palmer, and Barry Allen filling the 50/25/25 ticket jars

Mistress of Ceremonies, Pat Vailliencourt.

Manchester Co-op Preschool volunteers helped sell raffle tickets.

Members of the MHS Key Club help Kiwanians assemble programs

Set up was coordinated by Manchester High School athletes.

The grand Prize Winners split $6,000--from right, Teresa Bross representing her mother, Bonnie Hertler; Bryan Fountain; Rebecca Primrose; and Tom Ash.

When it came down to the five finalists, just one said, "NO DEAL."

Dr. Dana Andrews cracking himself up.

The raffle had record sales on the 50/25/25 drawings! Pictured are two winners.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.