Grand Prize Ticket Holder is a Paraeducator at Payne Junior High
March 26, 2025. CHANDLER, AZ – The Chandler Education Foundation’s (CEF) 2025 Winner’s Choice Raffle has once again demonstrated the power of community support in fueling educational opportunities for local students. This year’s fundraiser generated an impressive $121,431 through 2,779 donors, directly benefiting Chandler Unified School District (CUSD) schools and providing scholarships for graduating seniors.
In addition to more than $6,600 in Early Bird and referral prizes, the winning ticket holder received the choice between $20,000 in cash or $27,000 off the MSRP of any vehicle at Big Two Toyota of Chandler. This year’s grand prize winner, Tricia L., is a dedicated CUSD employee and proud parent of CUSD graduates.
"It is with a heart full of gratitude that I would like to express how very blessed I feel to have been chosen as the winner of the CEF raffle," shared Tricia. "It was my pleasure to support CEF by purchasing tickets. I have a great deal of respect and appreciation for the Chandler Unified School District as both of my daughters attended and graduated from CUSD schools.”
Tricia, now in her third year as a paraeducator at Payne Junior High School, found her role unexpectedly but has embraced it wholeheartedly. "It is a role that I truly enjoy as I strive to make a positive difference in the lives and learning ability of our students."
The decision between the two prize options was not an easy one, but after careful consideration, Tricia chose the cash prize, noting, “I will be sure to be a good steward of these funds and hope to give back to our community in some way." Tricia also extended her appreciation to Big Two Toyota of Chandler, recognizing their generosity in supporting CEF and CUSD through this annual event.
Launched on January 22, 2025, with the bonus Early Bird prizes drawing on February 14th, this district-wide event drew support from staff, families, and student groups. The Grand Prize drawing was livestreamed on the raffle website on February 28th with the lucky winner notified the same day.
CEF extends its sincere gratitude to all the donors and supporters for making this year’s raffle a resounding success. These contributions support countless students, providing them with greater opportunities to fund their futures.
Applications for scholarships funded through this event are currently being reviewed. Scholarship recipients will be recognized at celebrations held in each of the CUSD high schools the last week of April.
