Friday, September 25, 2020

Shepherd's Inn 'Win the Whole Cow' fundraiser goes virtual


Shepherd’s Inn, eastern Idaho’s long-established pregnancy support center, will be holding its annual Win the Whole Cow fundraiser virtually this year. The center operates solely on grants, donations and fundraisers, and this year there is an added level of community need.

“Every little bit helps, and moving the event to a virtual arena makes sense right now,” said executive director, Julie Zahn. “We can save the golf tournaments and spaghetti dinners until it’s safe to gather again. That being said, we really need everyone’s help to rally around our event and join us online in our raffle ticket sales efforts. The bottom line is we still need to reach our $15,000 dollar goal to keep our services at the level our clients need."

No one really thought in the past about how much this annual fundraiser relies on local 4-H clubs to raise the yearly beef until there almost wasn’t a 4-H auction this year. Luckily, 4-H and county officials found a way to safely continue the sale. Shepherd’s Inn advocate and annual benefactor Melaleuca CEO Frank VanderSloot purchased one of the bovines and donated it directly to the Win the Whole Cow raffle. Thieman’s Meats is stepping up again this year to provide the cutting, wrapping and storage of the beef until the winner is announced.

The grand prize alone is valued at over $4,500. To purchase tickets, go to https://shepherdsinn.org/win-the-whole-cow/ and select the amount of tickets you’d like to purchase, then click “Buy Now” The drawing includes not only the chance to win an entire beef cow but multiple themed gift baskets and other valuable prizes,  There will be a live Facebook drawing and announcement of the winners on Nov. 1.

To learn more about the raffle or to make a prize donation call 208-525-2014.