HOULTON — Definition of bling: A hip-hop term for expensive jewelry, and bling is definitely the definition for this year’s 7th annual Foundation diamond raffle ring.
Photo by Bob Ellis
“We are officially underway with this event and hope everyone will have a chance to see the prizes we are offering this year,” said Elizabeth Dulin, Foundation Executive Director. “Our first prize is a magnificent diamond ring consisting of a 1 carat center stone surrounded on top and up the sides by another .39 carats for a stunning look and value of $8,700. Second prize; a lovely 16” freshwater pearl and gold bead necklace with a 14kt gold “Tree of Life” pendant. Necklace will have a 14k gold enhancer allowing the wearer to remove the pendant and wear the pearls alone. Enhancer will also allow the pendant to be worn separately giving this second prize dual versatility; and a very sweet hot diamond bracelet will go to the third prizewinner. Our diamond raffle committee, with some new members, did another fantastic job of choosing this year’s design. A unanimous decision on what would take this years raffle by storm was reached early and was right on judging by early returns from those who have seen the ring. We are very, very excited.”
Only 850 tickets are available for a donation of $25 each.
“We have added extra time to this year’s event and the chances of selling out before the drawing is a very definite reality,” explained Dulin. “We encourage everyone to purchase tickets early to avoid your special Valentine being very unhappy with no potential winning ticket. An opportunity to see the ring will be at the annual Gift and Craft Fair to be held on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 23 and 24 at the Houlton Recreation Center. The Foundation’s table will be located downstairs at the show.”
Tickets are available at Goodrich Jewelry, North Road, Houlton (where items are on display); Aroostook Milling, F.A. Peabody Company Houlton, Foundation office located on the first floor of Houlton Regional Hospital. Tickets may also be purchased on-line at www.healthservicesfoundation.org with MasterCard/VISA and AMEX being accepted.
“The Holidays are right around the corner so remember what a fantastic stocking stuffer this is with three great chances for that special person in your life to be a winner,” said Dulin.
Drawing will be held on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, at 7 p.m. at the Courtyard Café with an hour of “l’amour de Chocolat”, a tasting of chocolate delights.
Funds raised from this event will assist the Foundation in meeting its goal of $1M in financial support of the Nuclear Medicine Project for Houlton Regional Hospital. To date over $300,000 has been raised for the recent purchase of the new Nuclear Medicine Imaging Equipment; the remainder of the campaign will focus on vitally needed expansion/renovations of the current Nuclear Medicine Department.
For more information about the Foundation itself, or its projects and programs, please contact the Foundation Office at 521-2147, or visit our website at www.healthservicesfoundation.org.
