Raffle for homeless shelter

    PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Homeless Services of Aroostook will have something to sing about, if ticket sales go well for a fund-raiser selling a chance to see Taylor Hicks in concert next month in Portland.     Thanks to the generosity of a local business owner, tickets are being raffled off to see the “American Idol” winner, with proceeds going to benefit the Presque Isle non-profit agency.
“My mother purchased the tickets and thought it would serve a good purpose to use them as a fund-raiser for the shelter,” said Derik Smith, of KFC/Taco Bell in Presque Isle.
Michael Eisensmith, president of HSA’s Board of Directors, appreciates the local support.
“Thanks to the generous support of KFC/Taco Bell in Presque Isle and KFC in Houlton, what is anticipated to be a significant fund-raiser for the regional homeless shelter is under way,” said Eisensmith.
According to Eisensmith, Taylor Hicks, winner of the 2006 “American Idol” contest, will be in concert at the Merrill Auditorium in Portland on Aug. 12.
“The shelter will be raffling of two sets of tickets to this show for $5 per raffle ticket. The concert tickets will also include a gas card, accommodations in the Portland area for one night and three signed Taylor Hicks CDs,” said Eisensmith.
Tickets can be purchased at all TD Banknorth locations and at the Presque Isle and Houlton KFC stores.
“The drawing will be held on Aug. 3, and additional raffle tickets will be sold at upcoming events over the next two weeks,” said Eisensmith. “WCXU – Channel X will be helping with the raffle promotion and will be announcing these other sales venues.”
Organizers hope to sell at least 1,000 tickets, with proceeds going to serve those from Aroostook County who find it necessary to seek out the services of the shelter.
“We’re optimistic we’ll reach our goal,” said Smith, one of the event’s organizers.
This past year has been particularly hard on the shelter, with the cost of fuel and electricity ever on the rise. But with the help of such endeavors as this raffle, the facility will be able to continue to meet the needs of those less fortunate in the surrounding communities.
“This could be one of the largest fund-raising efforts we have seen,” said Eisensmith, acknowledging that, “without the money, time and effort expended by the local KFC/Taco Bell franchise and the help, advice and promotion from Channel X, this fund-raiser would not be possible.”