Lori McPherson (left) and Sheila Fleet (right) are all smiles for the Christmas for Kids Raffle. Meira Bienstock
BETHEL — Brooks Bros. is holding its second “Christmas for Kids Raffle” to help raise money for Christmas for Families, a nonprofit program that donates Christmas presents to families in the SAD 44 area run by Nina Wheeler.
Anyone can stop on by and either fill out a ticket with their name and phone number along with their donation to get a ticket for the raffle, or they can just make a donation. The box is at the front of Brooks Bros., to the right of the cashier, dressed in wrapping paper.
“[We’re] were not selling me tickets. It’s whatever anybody has,” said employee Lori McPherson. “Because, you know, last year, people were dropping hundreds and they didn’t even want to fill out a ticket. You can do whatever you want.
“When they do a donation, they just put their name and phone number on [the ticket] and drop everything right into the thing up front. Then [on] the 21st, we’ll draw, and whoever wins, will win all this stuff, and then we’ll give Nina [Wheeler] the other money.”
The winner will receive the following and more: little lighted bracelets, a flashlight, solar bird feeder, leaf blower, pressure cooker, a toolkit, and more.
The Christmas for Kids Raffle started last year during the heart of the pandemic when Sunday River canceled its festival of trees event. Brooks Bros. wanted to do something locally.
“I just feel like this is nothing compared to what Nina [Wheeler] does,” explained McPherson. “If we can just give back a little bit and help her and help the community … it’s all about [the] sweet nice gesture.”
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