One person in Northeast Ohio won the “A Home for the Holidays” raffle.
Congratulations to Delores Burlinghaus from Strongsville!
Her name was picked from more than 11,000 entries competing this year to win a home or a cash prize.
“When I heard Dolores B. from Strongsville was the winner on NEWS 5, I was hoping it was me and on New Year’s Day I received the call confirming it,” Burlinghaus said.
Because the contest's goal of $1.3 million wasn't reached, she received the cash option prize of $300,000, and the timing couldn't have been better. Last year, Burlinghaus spent time in and out of the hospital, and those medical bills piled up.
“With five children and fourteen grandchildren I needed to concentrate on buying Christmas gifts for all of them. Money was tight, but like I did every year, I decided to buy one ticket and am I glad I did,” she said.
Here's what A Home for the Holidays benefits:
Proceeds from the raffle will go to the Make-A-Wish Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky Chapter and the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Cleveland’s Charitable and Education Foundation which funds educational programs for students entering the trades. Mayfield High School is one school benefiting from this endeavor with two to four other high schools scheduled for next fall.
As a result of the HBA Home for the Holidays raffle which started in 2020, one million dollars has been raised for Make-A-Wish and those wishes work wonders. According to a national wish impact study of Make-A-Wish alums, parents, and medical professionals, nine out of ten wish kids said that their wish experience relieved them from traumatic stress, which helped their well-being and gave them strength to fight their critical illness. The average wish costs $10,000.
