United Way offers trip to the Cayman Islands

GREENCASTLE -- After the recent winter storms, a trip to a tropical paradise may seem like a welcome escape.

The United Way of Putnam County is offering just that at their annual dinner March 5, raffling off a grand prize trip to the Cayman Islands, located in the Caribbean Sea.

The weeklong trip will include airfare and lodging for two people to the islands, from Saturday to Saturday, and the offer will be good for one year. The United Way will reimburse coach class airfare for two up to $1,200 after being presented with the receipt.

Raffle tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at the United Way office at 2 S. Jackson St. in Greencastle.

Raffle tickets will also be sold at upcoming school sporting events. The United Way plans to sell raffle tickets at North Putnam High School on Saturday Feb.12 during the JV Boy's County Tournament.

The goal of the raffle is to raise $10,000 for the United Way's youth enhancement grants and projects. Money collected from the raffle does not go to the United Way or the agencies it funds at all; it is immediately returned to the community, said David English, president of United Way of Putnam County.

English said he wanted the United Way to give back to the community in different ways aside from funding the United Way's partner agencies. The grant money can be used to find different projects in town that would help or encourage youth growth. There is currently no project set up for the grant, but English said he hopes to find one soon.

"We don't have enough money to do that, but we would like to be able to do it for the community," English said.

Tickets will be sold until the annual dinner, which will be held at the Putnam Inn in Greencastle.

Winners do not have to be at the dinner to claim the prize; they only have to respond to the notification within 14 days or an alternate winner will be drawn.