Just in time for the holidays, Cottonwood’s Benchmark Builders and Country Bank will be hosting a raffle that benefits two local nonprofits.
Raffle ticket proceeds will go to Verde Valley Habitat for Humanity and the Wounded Warrior Project. Habitat for Humanity provides housing solutions, including home builds and improvements, to low-income families who experience difficulty gaining traditional loan approval.
Locally, the organization operates at 737 S. Main St. in Cottonwood. Wounded Warrior Project is a veterans service organization that offers programs and assistance for wounded veterans of military actions following 9/11.
The organization’s Arizona team operates out of Scottsdale. “At the beginning of the year, we decided to raise some money,” Benchmark Builders co-owner Stacey Vincent said. “We wanted to select something personal to us.”
Rodney Vincent, Stacey’s husband and fellow co-owner of Benchmark, is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Stacey said she envisioned a project that could contribute to veterans and make use of her husband’s skill as a builder. Stacey said the raffle prizes will be crafted for both boys and girls.
Benchmark secured additional resources from a home improvement store and a paint store, which both donated materials toward the project. Stacey praised Country Bank Branch Manager Mark Tufte, who she said makes every effort to contribute to the community.
Verde Valley Habitat for Humanity was his choice of nonprofit. Though it operates out of Cottonwood, Habitat is a Verde Valley-wide organization. Tufte, as a loan servicer, said he understands the challenges individuals experience in securing home or home improvement loans, making Habitat a good fit for his fundraising efforts — efforts he largely refuses to take credit for.
“[Stacey and Rodney] really took the lead on the project,” Tufte said. “One hundred percent of the ticket sales will be donated to the charities.” Raffle tickets are available at Country Bank, 597 State Route 89A; Verde Valley Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 737 S. Main St.; and Sherwin-Williams, 455 S. Main St.
Costs are $10 per ticket or $40 for five tickets. Tickets are available through Dec. 22. The raffle takes place the following day. The prizes are available for viewing at Country Bank and will be featured in the Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce annual Christmas Parade.
For more information, contact Tufte at 639-0020 or Stacey Vincent at 300-3392.
