Richard Hitzges Wins Rotary Club of Amherst East Big Ticket Raffle

May 17, 2005 -- The Rotary Club of Amherst East today announced the winner of its first Big Ticket Raffle. The winning ticket belonged to Mr. Richard Hitzges. The raffle raised funds for two important causes:
• The Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo Amherst Clubhouse (http://www.bgca.org)
• Vive la Casa (VIVE Inc.) (http://www.vivelacasa.org)
“We recently celebrated Rotary’s 100th anniversary, and we held this raffle for two important Buffalo area causes as our Centennial project,” said Paul McAfee, president of the Rotary Club of Amherst East.
As the winner, Mr. Hitzges can select $4,000 cash, or receive a system worth $4,500 that includes:
• Sony 42" Enhanced Plasma Screen TV with A Sony Home Theater
• Delivery and installation from Stereo Advantage (www.stereoadvantage.com)

The 75 Rotary clubs in Western New York and Southern Ontario comprise Rotary District 7090. The group of Rotary clubs held its annual District Conference last weekend at the Chautauqua Institution. On Sunday morning, May 15, Rotary District 7090 Governor Charlotte Herlong pulled the winning ticket from a bag containing all of the submitted raffle tickets.

The Rotary Club of Amherst East’s 31 members provide support each year for international and local causes. The club’s members provide support directly through fund raising events such as their annual wine tasting party, and by helping the Interact Club of Williamsville East High School support VIVE and Habitat for Humanity.

As a volunteer organization with over 31,000 clubs in more than 166 countries, Rotary initiates humanitarian programs that address today's challenging issues, such as hunger, poverty, and illiteracy. Rotary club members represent a cross-section of business and professional leaders worldwide. These 1.2 million men and women donate their expertise, time, and money to support local and international projects that help people in need and promote understanding among cultures. Rotary's flagship program is its effort to protect children against the polio, with the goal of ending the disease throughout the world.

Paul P. Harris formed the world's first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, Illinois, USA, on 23 February 1905. The early practice of rotating meetings among members' offices led to the name “Rotary.” The Rotary Club of Amherst East is part of Rotary International.

The Amherst East Rotary Club meets at noon on Thursdays at Daffodil’s Restaurant on Maple Road, Amherst, NY. The club’s website is www.amhersteastrotary.org.

Paul McAfee is the Public Relations Manager for the Rotary Club of Amherst East. Paul is CEO of eXubrio, LLC, a management and marketing consulting firm (www.exubrio.com). For more information, call Paul at (716) 568-0329.