Independent Perspective #1618

Guest:  Jillian Moss

Topic:  ILNC's virtual basket raffle.

Duration:  06:02

Published:  October 8, 2020

Host:  Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). Our guest today is Jillian Moss, Community Events Coordinator with WNYIL, and your host is yours truly, Ernie Churchwell. Welcome to the program, Jillian.

Guest:  Thank you, I appreciate it.

Host:  And we're glad to have you. You're here because you're going to tell us about a new type of event which has been brought about by the realities of the Covid-19 pandemic. And it tends to replace some of the traditional big events that have been done by our Niagara Falls entity Independent Living of Niagara County (ILNC). I think you'll fill us in on what that is but first, if you could mention just some of the important services that ILNC provides to the community?

Guest:  Yeah, of course, ILNC helps people with disabilities and the elderly in the Niagara County region to be able to live independently throughout the community as well as so many other things. They help with member directed personal assistance services, they have services for the deaf and hard of hearing. They do benefits advisement. They have their own Addict 2 Addict branch, compared to our Buffalo branch is called Addict 2 Addict  Niagara, they essentially recruit recovering addicts to offer help to still struggling addicts who have decided they want to work towards their own recovery. They also have Medicaid Application Assistance Program, and you can find everything that you may need on our website, it's wnyl.org. And you'll be able to find all the services that ILNC offers.

Host:  Basically, ILNC gives people with disabilities in Niagara County the tools they need to live a more successful independent lifestyle. In order to support this, I'm afraid that there is the necessity of raising funds. And I believe you have the lowdown on a new style of fundraiser, the basket auction that is not the traditional type. Could you tell us all about it?

Guest:  Yes. So, typically what would be happening around this time of year is ILNC’s Annual Fishing Derby which includes obviously the Fishing Derby portion but also a basket raffle at the event. This year we were unable to do the fishing Derby due to COVID, so this year we decided that we were going to do a virtual basket raffle. We have baskets from many different people who have donated throughout the community. And we are offering an online service through both our Facebook page, as well as through our wnyil.org website. You'll be able to go on starting October 12, and see all the baskets that we have available, again, either Facebook or on our website. The tickets will be sold from October 12 to November 5, drawings will be held on November 5, they will also be held virtually. We will do a live drawing for all the baskets. On November 5, through Facebook, Facebook Live. And after the fact, if you are unable to catch it on Facebook or you don't have a Facebook you will be able to see the winning numbers on our website. We are planning to sell tickets for $5 a ticket. Your ticket will get entered into every single basket, but with each ticket number you will only be able to win one basket per number. We are in the process of getting all the baskets together. You can check out the events page, wynil.org/events/ilnc-basket-raffle, as well as on our Facebook, we have plenty of information on Facebook as well. As soon as we have more information regarding ticket sales and baskets, we will be posting that but again, you can find all that on October 12.

Host:  And of course, you're always willing to accept more basket donations from merchants and friends of the agency. Is there any other contact information you'd like to provide?

Guest:  Yes. So, if you're interested in purchasing a ticket, you can actually reach out to me again my name is Jillian Moss, you can call my extension, the number is 716-836-0822 extension 146, or feel free to email me. My email is jmoss@wnyil.org. We are taking payments through PayPal, if you do need to pay cash, we can play it on some type of arrangement, just feel free to reach out and we can figure out the arrangement for you.

Host:  Thanks so much for being with us, Jillian.

Guest:  Absolutely. Thanks for having me.

Host:  You've been listening to Independent Perspective, a Public Affairs presentation of WNYIL. Our guest today was Jillian Moss, Committee Events Coordinator with WNYIL and your host was yours truly, Ernie Churchwell.