Badger Baseball Boosters raffle car to fund scholarships

PRESCOTT - Founding and funding Badger Baseball scholarships against the friction of a rough economy requires Herculean effort, but the project is getting a 197-horse-power jumpstart.

"It's a good car and, in this first, crucial year, we're really lucky to have a partner like this," said Jen Fairbairn, fundraising organizer with Badger Baseball Boosters.

The partner is Tim's Auto Group, 3200 Willow Creek Road. The car is a 2006 Buick Lucerne CX, and it's up for raffle as of last week.

Tickets cost $20, and proceeds fund a $2,000 scholarship and two $500 scholarships, which are open to varsity seniors on the Prescott-based team who are pursuing post-secondary education. There are six seniors on the Badgers' 2012 roster, according to the team's website.

Tickets are on sale through May 18 at the dealership and during home games at the Badger Snack bar.

The scholarships reward players' hard work on and off the field, as both players and citizens, coach John Irish said in a news release.

"Most members of the baseball team will go on to other things than baseball," Irish said. "These scholarships help these players continue their education so they can become impactful members of our community."

If all 1,000 tickets sell, the boosters bring in $20,000.

Fairbairn said the extra money may go into a bank account for the scholarship and pay for field improvements or equipment.

"There've been a lot of budget cuts, so it's nice to have a means to help," said Fairbairn, who, prior to moving to the area, raised money for local and national nonprofits in Montana. "I didn't realize how much work is done every year until my son - I'm a freshman mom - was in the program."

Scholarship amounts and availability may increase next year.

Applications, due April 30, are on the Badger Baseball and Prescott High School websites at www.badgerbaseball.net and mypusd.prescottschools.com/pusdwp/phs. A Tim's Auto Group representative and two community business representatives select scholarship winners.

The raffle drawing is May 18, during "Dinner for the Diamond," a fundraising dinner, dance, and live and silent auctions at The Club at Prescott Lakes. Scholarships are awarded at the Prescott High School's awards ceremonies on May 24 at the Ruth Street Theater.

In addition to the car itself, the raffle winner gets a free oil change and a three-year/36,000-mile warranty.

"Tim's Auto Group is proud to be associated with a program that provides assistance to students so that they may continue their education," said Ali Hussain, general manager of Tim's Auto Group.

The Buick Lucerne is on display at the Tim's Auto Group showroom and will be at some varsity, junior varsity and freshman baseball games. It also will be on display during Little League opening day ceremonies.

Call Jen Fairbairn at 928-460-3649 or email phs.badgerbaseball@gmail.com for more information.