I am going to try to QUICKLY write a post about the MOCA Meat Raffle I volunteered at on Friday night. It is Sunday morning at 5:30 am, and I am in my seat, with only a few minutes to write before the plane begins to move.
The flu epidemic seems to have peaked in New York State last week, but I am still wearing a mask on these flights (the only person on the plane) as I did when I flew to NYC in December. I don’t mind the funny looks from others; if anyone asks me why I’m wearing a mask, I’ll say I have cancer and shut them down.
Here is information about MOCA:
Their last several missions have been to the Dominican Republic, doing gynecological surgeries. I wanted to go last year, but it ended up being the same time as when Alex and I went to Japan. I volunteered at the Meat Raffle last year. It was the first one I had been to. It is a VERY Buffalo experience. They exist in a few other regions of the U.S., but not many.
A meat raffle is a popular fundraising and social event, especially in the US Midwest (Minnesota), New York, Australia, and UK, where people buy tickets for a chance to win cuts of meat or meat trays by having their numbers drawn, often from a spinning wheel, with proceeds typically benefiting charities or local clubs. These events, originating from WWII British rationing, are social gatherings held in pubs or community halls, featuring various meats like steaks, ribs, or sausages as prizes, and sometimes include other raffles like 50/50s or themed baskets.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meat_raffle
Even though I don’t eat meat, I had a great time volunteering last year. I told all my friends who hadn’t been to one to come this year, but only managed to entice 4. But there was a big turnout, and it raised $14,000 for the charity. There are MANY meat raffles every weekend in Western NY. They often raise money for people with medical bills, charity organizations, kids’ sports teams, etc.
The tickets were only $15 and included free beer and soda. The majority of the money raised, though, comes from people buying raffle tickets and hoping the spinning wheel lands on their number. Most people bring a meal to share with their friends, everything from fancy charcuterie boards to pizzas.
This photo is of Emma Nylander, MD (in front of Arty “party”), thanking everyone for coming and supporting the charity.
Before we got started, several of us separated the “funny” money into packs of 20.
Like last year, I volunteered to handle the meats rather than running around the tables and selling raffle tickets.
For each raffle round, I would bring out the meats and make sure the correct winners picked up their prizes.
Any meat not won in a round was returned to the walk-in freezer and then brought back out for the grand finale.
I bought 3 tickets for the finale and won a huge pork butt that I will bring to Big Big Table next time I volunteer there. My friend Mark won a bag of frozen shrimp. My other friends struck out 🙁
They also had many baskets and silent auction items to raise money.
If you want to donate to the charity and help provide desperately needed medical care to impoverished women in the DR, here is the link. Thanks.
One thought on “Short and sweet Meat!”