Miners host annual raffle

Sports editor

PALMER -- There were a few big winners at the Moose Lodge in Palmer on Saturday, April 24.

The Mat-Su Miners hosted the annual grand raffle at the lodge, handing out several big prizes and serving more than 300 people a grand dinner that featured everything from pasta to salmon.

Al Haynes, of Palmer, won the top prize -- $10,000 -- at the raffle. Paul Whitmore, also of Palmer, won the $1,000 prize.

Each year the Miners sell 325 tickets, each for $100, and hold a raffle and dinner. Miner officials draw tickets, and numerous prizes and cash awards are given out.

Mat-Su general manager Pete Christopher estimates the Miners' earned about $14,000 from the raffle. This event proves to be one of the most important fund-raising drives of the year for the Miner organization. The club uses the proceeds to pay for the travel costs of the team. Tickets are purchased to fly the players to Palmer from their homes in the Lower 48, before the season and back after the season.