Carson Tahoe celebrates success at annual Hopefest raffle and Think Pink+ event
Carson Tahoe Health is thrilled to announce the resounding community support of its annual Hopefest raffle and Think Pink+ event, held Friday, Oct. 6, 2023 at Red’s Old 395 Grill in Carson City.
This year’s event was historic both for raising over $40,000 in funds, as well as for the awareness created surrounding breast cancer. One hundred percent of the money raised provides assistance for patients in treatment, needing help with things like groceries, gas, and no-cost stays at the Merriner Cottages on campus.
The highlight of Think Pink+ was the drawing of the annual Hopefest raffle ticket, with a grand prize choice of a either a new Toyota Corolla or $15,000 in cash, generously donated year-after-year by Carson City Toyota. Out of the thousands of hopeful entries, the winner was Carson Tahoe Health’s very own Terracita (Tess) Orio, a dedicated caregiver and Avasure Tech who has served the organization for nearly 20 years.
Tess purchased her raffle ticket online during the week leading up to the event, and just to ensure her entry, she even contacted the hospital’s marketing department to confirm her online entry had gone through. Perhaps she knew somehow that she was destined to win. Tess claimed her choice of prize this week — $15,000 cash — and has plans to pay off some bills, put some towards a family vacation, and is even donating some to both the cancer center and her church.
Though winning the grand prize is a big deal most people would love to experience, each year Carson Tahoe also has system-wide participation in a contest for the staff member who sells the most raffle tickets. Kathy Merrill, a long-time nurse at the Ambulatory Infusion Center, sold 429 tickets (with the help of her husband and community champion Bill) ringing up nearly $4,000 in donations.
Keenly aware of the magnitude of need (especially this year) Carson Tahoe extends its deepest appreciation to Red’s Old 395 Grill for hosting the Think Pink+ event for yet another year, CTH staff who helped create over 80 raffle gift baskets and the countless local businesses who donated raffle baskets, gift cards and other generous support. When it comes to supporting neighbors in need, this community is unparalleled.