$30,000 raised for Project Graduation in 'Luck of the Irish'

Paulette Murry was the grand prize winner in Saturday evening's "Luck of the Irish" Project Graduation dinner and drawing fundraiser at the Marshall High School gymnasium. [Click to enlarge]

About one out of every five people attending Saturday evening's "Luck of the Irish" won a prize, but most importantly this year's Project Graduation came out the big winner with $30,000 grossed toward this year's event.

A total of about $14,000 worth of prizes was given out during the drawing, held during a prime rib dinner that packed the Marshall High School gymnasium with the majority of 300 ticket holders.

While the big winner of the evening, Paulette Murry, wasn't able to be present when her ticket was the lucky No. 300 pulled out of the bin, she did say in a statement later that the prize will enable her to fulfill a longtime desire.

"First I want to give God all the glory for the Project Graduation gift," Murry wrote in a note after being told she was the winner of the $10,000 grand prize, "I am a two-time cancer survivor and have always wanted to go to Israel. I plan on taking the money and doing just that, having a vacation of a lifetime. The desire of my heart has been answered by this gift. I am so excited and want to thank every one in the planning of such a great event. I wish the best for the 2006 graduating class."

Other prizes given away during the evening included cash prizes ranging from $100 to $500, gift certificates from local restaurants, gift certificates for tickets to the local theater and a pair of flat screen television/DVD combinations.

A total of $30,000 was raised by selling 300 $100 tickets for the dinner and drawing, held in the Marshall High School gymnasium.

The money raised from the dinner and drawing, plus other Project Graduation fundraisers, will be used for this year's drug- and alcohol-free event the evening of MHS graduation ceremonies.

Playing a key role in enabling the Project Graduation committee to pull off the big event was the Marshall Public Education Foundation Inc., a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization "that solicits, receives donations, bequests and other gifts that enhance the academic programs offered by the Marshall Public School District.

"All donations and gifts are tax deductible and help provide educational experiences above and beyond the core curriculum and help initiate programs that challenge and encourage students at all levels."

Board members of the Marshall Public Education Foundation Inc. include Bruce Brock, Scott Hartwig, Jane Huff, Bedford Knipschild, James Lewis IV, Morris Shikels, Anita Wright and Rob Gordon, ex-officio member.

Contact Mark Lile at

marshallbusiness@socket.net