Senior Citizens Council offers Beat the Odds raffle

Feeling lucky?

Maybe it's time to take a few dollars out of your wallet and hope your number is drawn.

The DuPage Senior Citizens Council's annual Beat the Odds raffle offers 10 cash prizes, including a grand prize of $2,500 - not a bad payoff on a $5 ticket. Tickets are available through Sept. 8 and are sold individually or six for $25.

Organizers hope the raffle brings in about $40,000 this year, money that will go toward serving 4,000 seniors through the council's Meals on Wheels and Community Dining programs and through its home repair and yard cleanup activities, said Patricia Thein, the council's volunteer and communications manager.

"For many seniors in DuPage County, these services are key for them to remain healthy, independent and in their homes," Thein said. "This event will help provide much-needed funding to continue our programs."

The council, based in Lombard, started in 1975 to help seniors work through housing issues and expanded to offer the Meals on Wheels program in the early 1980s. The organization now incorporates wellness checks into the meal delivery program and offers Chore Days, when volunteers help seniors with yard work and minor repairs.

Each year, the council fields 1,000 requests for general information, 500 requests for home maintenance services and 3,250 requests for nutrition services, Thein said. And each year, 350,000 meals are served to seniors throughout DuPage County in the meal delivery and community dining programs.

The council works from a budget of about $2.75 million, Thein said, with about 43 percent of the group's income coming through fundraisers such as the Beat the Odds raffle. To buy tickets, call (630) 620-0804.

Remember, it's called Beat the Odds for a reason. Odds are, your number won't be picked. But at least you'll know your $5 is helping someone who really could use a hand.

Being good just may feel better than being lucky.