Chris Hoglund was the grand-prize winner at the 33rd annual Altrusa of Starke Gala, which was held Oct. 29 at Starke’s Gov. Charley E. Johns Conference Center.
As is the case every year, the grand prize was $2,500 cash, awarded to the last person standing in a reverse prize drawing. Everyone who bought a ticket to the gala had their name put into a bowl for a reverse drawing. Names were drawn one by one, with some winning prizes and some going home empty handed.
The last five people remaining were Hoglund, Morgan Hamilton, Darbyann Jennings, Carolyn Reddish and Denny Thompson. Hamilton won a tailgate set of a Yeti cooler and lawn chairs, donated by Ferreira Funeral Services, while Thompson won a Turtle Box speaker donated by Tatum Brothers Lumber Company. A $500 Visa gift card, donated by DLP Bank, went to Reddish, leaving Hoglund and Jennings vying for the grand prize. Jennings had her name drawn next, which earned her a Cedar Key weekend getaway donated by Colony Bank.
It was a two-for-two night for Hoglund and his wife, Amy, who’s an Altrusa member. Amy won a cookware set donated by fellow Altrusa member Linda Tatum.
In all, 162 people had their names in the drawing, with 63 winning a prize of some sort.
Bradford County Sheriff Gordon Smith served as the emcee, while Altrusa of Starke President Sandra Luke drew the names.
Prior to the prize drawing, guests enjoyed a meal catered by G’s BBQ.
Besides Luke, Altrusa of Starke officers are Teresa Phillips (first vice president), Carolyn Carver (second vice president), Mary Kramer (corresponding secretary), Rachel Rhoden (recording secretary/past president) and Amanda Seyfang (treasurer). Board members are Shelly Bowen, Carolyn Reddish and Julee Tinsler.
Foundation board members are Vicki Teal (president), Kim Hamilton (treasurer), Seyfang (vice president/secretary), Reddish (director), Luke (club president) and Rhoden (immediate past president).
