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HOULTON – Diamonds are forever – but you have only until Wednesday to possibly win a bauble valued at $7,200 for only $20.
On Valentine’s Day, one lucky winner will exit the Courtyard Cafe on Main Street with a diamond ring, and two others will receive equally stunning gems as part of the Houlton Regional Health Services Foundation’s sixth annual diamond ring raffle.
The raffle will showcase a dazzling white gold, princess-cut diamond ring with baguettes and rounds. The total carat weight is 1.44.
Another fortunate ticket holder will win a Citizen two-tone bangle bracelet watch, and third place will receive a Maine granite pendant.
The diamond ring raffle has become a popular fundraiser for the organization, which raises money that gets poured back into the community. The foundation conducts fundraisers each year and has raffled off cars and artwork, and held concerts and other community events to help fill its coffers.
In the past few years, foundation grants have helped finance a handicapped-accessible van, a defibrillator for a local school, and a new pediatric suite at the hospital, representing more than $1 million poured into the community to date.
Proceeds from this year’s raffle will launch the foundation closer to its goal of purchasing a nuclear medicine machine for Houlton Regional Hospital.
Hospital officials said they believe the nuclear medicine equipment, which uses radioactive isotopes to pinpoint a specific problem without having to scan the entire body, will enhance technology for staff and patients.
Jeweler-gemologist Walter Goodrich, owner of Goodrich Jewelry, works with the diamond committee each year to come up with the best product for the fundraising effort. The raffle items are on display at his store.
Although Valentine’s Day is near, there is still time to purchase tickets to compete for the three prizes, according to Elizabeth Dulin, the executive director of the foundation.
Tickets are still available at Goodrich Jewelry, Aroostook Milling, F.A. Peabody Co. in Houlton and its branch offices, Health Services Foundation Office and at the gift shop at Houlton Regional Hospital.
Only 950 tickets will be sold for $20 each.
Dulin said that tickets can be purchased right up until about 30 seconds before the 7 p.m. drawing takes place. In the hour preceding the event, the foundation has arranged for the Courtyard Cafe to treat those awaiting the results of the raffle to an assortment of chocolate desserts.
Tickets can be purchased online via PayPal until 1 p.m. Wednesday by logging on to www.healthservicesfoundation.org and following the diamond raffle link. Dulin said that those who purchase their tickets online and are unable to pick them up before the raffle can rest assured that their names will be entered into the drawing.
For more information about the raffle or other foundation programs or projects, call 521-2147 or 521-2503.
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