Local schools race for cash in Idaho Lottery’s Scratch for Schools fundraiser
Published at | Updated at
POCATELLO — The energy was palpable Tuesday evening inside Pond Student Union Building as teams from 50 area schools raced the clock, scratching lottery tickets in what organizers call the fastest five-minute fundraiser in Idaho.
Teachers, administrators and PTO members leaned over tables, furiously scratching in the annual Scratch for Schools event, hosted by the Idaho Lottery.
Each school provided a three-person team — two scratching while a third held the tickets steady. Teams were given a pack of Library Loot lottery tickets designed especially for the fundraiser, a total of 22,000 for each event, and just five minutes to scratch as many as possible.
Teams that scratched the most tickets advanced for additional prizes, adding to the competitive buzz.
Nearly 200 participants filled the room, many dressed in costumes and school colors, creating a lively, game-show-like atmosphere.
Yesterday, 64 schools gathered at Idaho State University Extension in Idaho Falls, inside the Bennion Student Union multi-purpose room, for the event.
“Visually, it is a spectacle unlike anything you have seen,” Idaho Lottery spokesman David Workman said. “Each school competes for the title of fastest scratching school and the chance to win money for classroom needs.”
Those needs range from playground equipment and library books to computer software.
It was a lucky evening for two Blackfoot schools. Wapello Elementary School in Blackfoot claimed the title of fastest scratching school, clearing 200 tickets in the five-minute round with wins of $509. Idaho Science and Technology Charter School in Blackfoot and North Gem High School in Bancroft were among the top overall winners, each earning $774.
Melissa Hagler, a teacher at Blackfoot’s Idaho Science and Technology Charter School, has participated in the Scratch for Schools event before and said she looks forward to using the money for school activities.
In total, $17,787 was awarded to participating schools during the Pocatello event.
Statewide, the Idaho Lottery is hosting 11 events this year, with more than 514 schools participating. Now in its 25th year, the Scratch for Schools program has returned more than $2.1 million to Idaho classrooms.
For more information on Idaho Lottery happenings check out the website here or follow Idaho Lottery on Facebook.