Bad Economy Creates Good Odds
Red Cross Car Raffle Sales Down as Drawing Date Nears

Date:	May 21, 2009
Media Contact:	Diane Concannon, 609.951.2116; (cell) 609.206.4043 concannond@njredcross.org

PRINCETON, NJ, May 21, 2009 – The American Red Cross of Central New Jersey depends on the funds generated by the year’s largest fundraiser – the Red Cross Car Raffle. Long Motor Company and Volvo Cars of North American generously donate the winning vehicle, meaning every raffle ticket sold goes directly to support local Red Cross programs and services. With ticket sales capped at 2,000, the annual fundraiser has the potential to raise $200,000 for the Central New Jersey Chapter.

“The poor economy seems to be having an effect on raffle ticket sales this year,” said Kevin Sullivan, CEO of the American Red Cross of Central New Jersey. “We’ve only sold 720 tickets with just days left to the June 1st drawing,” he added.

Last year’s raffle sold over 1,400 tickets. The Red Cross is hoping to sell at least 1,000 tickets this year. “The odds are very good right now,” said Sullivan. “People can support their local Red Cross and have a great opportunity to win a new Volvo!”

This year’s Red Cross You Win…You Choose! Car Raffle allows the holder of the winning ticket to choose between three Volvo models: the sporty C70 convertible, luxurious S80 sedan, and the new 2010 XC60 crossover.

All proceeds from the raffle go directly to support Red Cross programs and services in Central New Jersey. These include disaster response for families affected by house fires and other local disasters, meals delivered to the elderly and homebound, and emergency preparedness education in the community. The raffle also benefits the School Safety Initiative, which brings the life saving skills of Red Cross First Aid and CPR to students of all ages at inner-city schools in Central New Jersey.

The Red Cross Chapter also added an incentive this year to help boost sales -- purchase five tickets for $500 and receive one ticket free. Information and ticket orders are available online at www.njredcross.org. Printable ticket order forms to fax or mail in are also available at www.njredcross.org. Raffle tickets purchases are also available at the American Red Cross of Central New Jersey’s Princeton and Ringoes locations. Call 609-951-8550 for additional information.

The Central New Jersey Chapter serves the people of Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon, and parts of Somerset counties, helping our community prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, 2,201 volunteers and 25 full- or part-time employees assisted 271 families (954 individuals with shelter, food and/or clothing), after 117 disasters (mostly house fires) displaced them from their homes; trained 51,296 residents with First Aid, CPR or other lifesaving skills; delivered 45,267 nutritious meals to homebound and elderly; and provided care and support to 209 military families. Central New Jersey residents donated 13,466 pints of blood through the American Red Princeton Blood Donor Center or American Red Cross blood drives throughout our service area. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work. For more information on the programs and services of the Red Cross, and to learn how you can get involved, visit www.njredcross.org or call 609-951-8550.

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707 Alexander Road, Suite 101, Princeton, NJ 08540-6311. 609-951-8550 . Fax: 609-951-9787
Hunterdon Branch: 79 Route 202/31, Suite 302, Ringoes, NJ 08551 . 908-782-4121 . Fax: 908-782-2864
www.njredcross.org