Amador County – The Valentines Day fundraiser, “Take a Chance on Love” started kind of slow, but ended up raising $16,420 for Hospice of Amador and Calaveras Counties.

The grand prize was won by Linda Poulos, a Pine Grove resident, who is also a volunteer at the Hospice Thrift Store in Jackson. Poulos won an all-expense paid trip for four people to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, valued at more than $10,000.

Linda Matulich of Ione won the second prize, the “Love Knot” diamond pendant with a 14-karat white gold chain, valued at $2,000.

Karen Mason, Hospice executive assistant, said Mayra Lawrence, 99, of Jackson won the third place prize of a golf package, including 16 rounds of golf, complete with golf carts at Mace Meadow, Castle Oaks, La Contenta and Greenhorn Creek, valued at approximately $1,100.

Mason said they found out Tuesday that Lawrence “does not golf, so she has donated the golf package back to Hospice to raise money again.” She said it was for a good cause. Mason said they might include the golf package in the Hospice Art Auction later in the year, which is scheduled to be held in Calaveras County this year.

Nancy Martinelli, a past Hospice volunteer, who lives in Sutter Creek, won the fourth prize in the raffle, a two-night stay for two people in an ocean-side condominium on the Monterey Bay, with a $100 restaurant certificate, and a total value of $900.

Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Ann Metherd said early Tuesday she knew the third annual Valentine’s Day Raffle had raised over $14,000 but they were not sure how much more. She said “it was a slower sales year but we are grateful for everyone pitching in and helping out.”

Metherd said: “The need for our services has grown tremendously over the past few years and we are encouraged by all the support of the general public.” The Valentine Raffle is the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year.

Mason said late Tuesday that ticket sales had totaled $16,420. She said a lot volunteers helped sell tickets, some for the first time, and Hospice really appreciated “all the wonderful people who stepped up.” Volunteers sold tickets at storefronts on Super Bowl Sunday, helping the raffle to a strong finish.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.