DIXON, CA (MPG) - Since Kiwanis was not doing the Festival of Trees for it's premier fundraiser this year due to the pandemic shutdowns and resulting economic struggles, I was brainstorming on how we could do a different fundraiser.

"What I really want to do is something big like raffling off a car," I said to my youngest son.

"We could raffle off a '98 Honda Civic," he said. What flashed through his head was the movie 'Employee of the Month' where they had a 'beat up Honda' that was on the second shelf of the Costco-style warehouse store.

So I open today's Messenger Publishing Group's website to take a peak at the recent publications. I always like to see what other communities are doing when I see the headline 'Congregation Raffles off SUV for Fundraiser.' Apparently the members of Our Lady of the Rosary Maronite Catholic Church in Carmichael is among many local non-profits forced to think outside the collection box, according to the

This particular church is home of worship for scores of Middle Eastern Christian families and they had to cancel their 9th annual October American Lebanese and Middle Eastern Festival which has been a high point for thousands of supporters

They decided to raffle off a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox (value approximately $28,000). Their second prize is $5,000 in cash. Anyone may participate for a $100 a chance and sales are limited to 500 tickets. The drawing will be in December.

Just because we're a small town, doesn't mean we can't think big, I called and told him. Maybe I should just call DuPratt Ford and see...

"We could try raffling off another hog since we raised some good money with that a few years ago," he reminded me. "That was donated by Mike Hamilton but it's the wrong time of year for that." Then he thought of the expensive but totally worth it Honey Baked Hams.

With the grace of Dustin Kaiser of Allied Propane, the Ham Raffle has started.

The standard half-ham sized hams which are six or seven pounds are valued at $65. The grand prize one runs about $105 as it is a whole ham and is about 15 pounds.

Kiwanis members will be selling tickets and they are $5 each or 5 for $20.

They are also available at the newspaper office, Dixon's Independent Voice, 100 North Adams in the Motley Realty building or at Allied Propane, 1700 North First Street next to Dollar Tree. For more information, call (707) 301-0795.