BRATTLEBORO — In a small town, neighbors look after neighbors.
That's why the Arts Council of Windham County will hold two raffles through Aug. 5 to benefit the United Way of Windham County's Brooks House Fund.
Proceeds will go toward finding accommodations for the former tenants of the Brooks House who were displaced after the April 17 fire.
“The community has responded pretty well,” said Greg Worden, owner of Vermont Artisan Design, which is displaying the raffle items at its galley on 106 Main St. “All raffle items were donated by people in the area. But we want to help people remember that after the drama ends, there is still a need.”
This raffle is a continuation of Vermont Artisan Designs' extensive efforts to help those displaced in the fire.
On May 7, the gallery was one of several sponsors of Heart and Soul - a noon-to-midnight musical event that raised more than $10,000 for the fund.
The first raffle includes 11 items, ranging from quilts by Quiet Valley Quilters Guild to a sculpted hanging wall tile by Natalie Blake.
Tickets cost $25 each, or $100 for five tickets. There are 50 tickets sold for each item, and buyers select the items for which they would like to compete.
The second raffle also includes 11 items. Items include a director's chair from Friends of the Sun, and two pairs of tickets to a Vermont Jazz Center performance.
Tickets for the second raffle are $5 each, or $25 for six.
There is no limit to the number of tickets that will be sold per item and drawings are random; one can win any of the items.
“People are invited to come in and take a look, or they can drop off a check, and we'll send them the tickets. They can also see the items on the Vermont Artisan Designs Facebook page,” said Worden.
“This is another great opportunity to help [the victims of the Brooks house fire] and to get a nice prize.”
Raffle entries will be accepted through Aug. 4, with the drawings held during the Aug. 5 Gallery Walk.
Checks should be made out to United Way of Windham County with “Brooks House Fund” in the memo.
For more information about the Arts Council of Windham County, call 802-257-7044.