Winners galore at 18th Kiwanis Crazy Cash Night!

Final winners Erica Van Poppel (right) and Bryan Fountain (left).

The Borek-Jennings Legacy Event Center was transformed Saturday night and filled with laughter as the Kiwanis Crazy Cash Night held its 18th annual event. Kiwanis spokesperson Pat Vailliencourt declared the event a great success for everyone involved.

The popular Crazy Cash Night is a reverse raffle, where the last number drawn wins the biggest prize. The proceeds from this huge fund-raiser benefit a variety of different organizations each year, and this year is no exception. The Manchester Area Historical Society, the Manchester Community Resource Center, the Manchester Early Childhood Center, Manchester Farmers Market, Manchester High School Media Center, Manchester Lions Club, MHS Science program, and the MHS Kiwanis Key Club Scholarship are this year’s beneficiaries.

“To date, we have returned over a quarter million dollars to the community in the form of grants and scholarships,” Vailliencourt said.

Tons of cash changed hands throughout the evening as the winners bought tickets for the chance to win even more cash and prizes. Over a five hour period, nine merchandise board prizes were given away (two $500 Cabela gift cards, two flat screen TVs, two Surface Pro computers, a Kayak, and two Go Pro cameras) along with dozens of donated gifts and prizes from local businesses, merchants, professional services, and artists.

But the climax of the evening, of course, was the final drawing, for which everyone waited eagerly. When the last five ticket holders were revealed, it was time for “Deal or No Deal!” The group of five were asked if they wanted to split the total of the two final cash prizes of $1,000 and $5,000. If there is a holdout among the group, the reverse raffle continues and ticket holders are eliminated one by one.

The final five decided “NO DEAL” and it came down to the last two ticket holders … Bryan Fountain and Erica Van Poppel. Fountain, who was the high bidder for both of the two final tickets, #199 and #200, ended up with the $1,000 prize and Van Poppel went home the winner of the $5,000 grand prize.

Vailliencourt expressed the Kiwanians’ gratitude to Borek-Jennings Funeral Home for the use of their facility. Attendees also enjoyed a delicious meal catered by The Moveable Feast of Manchester.

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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.