You can be a hero and possibly win money too!  Yes, that's true according to Al Scaramella, Grand Knight of St. Mary's Knights of Columbus Council 14224.  Through their annual charity raffles, they have donated over $210,000 over the past eleven years to the Holliston Pantry Shelf, Senior Center, disabled veterans’ organizations, Habitat for Humanity, and other local charities.  This year's raffle began just before the Coronavirus Pandemic started and, you guessed it, the virus knocked raffle ticket sales to a trickle.  Al pointed out that the charitable organizations being supported need funds more than ever this year - and it's at a time when the knights can't get in front of people to solicit their support.  So, how can you be a hero?

Al feels, "Everyone who buys a ticket or a book of tickets is already a hero because they're helping hundreds of people with their purchase. Hundreds! The Pantry Shelf serves about 200 families - that's families, not people.  The Holliston Senior Center, even temporarily closed due to the pandemic, still cooks and sends meals to many homes during this trying time, checking on those seniors to assure they're okay. Hospitalized disabled veterans, mostly in the Northeast, receive support through IPods for Wounded Veterans, a non-profit which donates IPods, IPads, and other electronic equipment to soldiers while they're recovering so they can keep in touch with their families and keep up with events. Also, Homes for Our Troops, based in Taunton, builds homes for disabled veterans, each one specifically designed for that soldier's needs. Habitat for Humanity donations have been made to help build or rehab the homes being done in Holliston the past several years. Every donation has been so gratefully received that the recipients believe that heroes made it possible. Those heroes are the individuals who purchased the raffle tickets which made the donations possible. That's you.”

Covid19 has made it impossible for the council to conduct group sales at Fiske's, the Superette, Holliston Hardware, Coffee Haven, or the area grocery stores so far. That means ticket revenue is down, very down, so far. You can help change this in a couple ways - buy tickets or make a donation. For tickets, please contact any St. Mary's Knight if you know one; they have tickets.  You can also buy tickets or make a donation by sending your name, address, and phone number along with your check (payable to KofC #14224) to TOM ANGUISH, 542 WINTER STREET, HOLLISTON, MA 01746.  Don't forget your phone number - they need it to call you if you win a prize!  If you buy tickets, Tom will send your portion of the ticket(s) back to you for your chance to win one of five prizes ranging from $1,000 to $100.  Tickets are just $5 each or a bargain at five for $20. The drawing is scheduled to be conducted on stage at Celebrate Holliston in September, but may be postponed until later in the fall if necessary.

So - be a hero and help St. Mary's Knights of Columbus Council raise these valuable funds for charity; you'll feel very good doing this - and you may win a prize, too!