Orangeburg resident Bill Welch says it has been years, really too long to remember the time, when he last won something.

It was when the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce held its "Monte Carlo Night" fund-raiser. He won $2,000.

But when he found himself down to the top three during the Rotary Club of Orangeburg and Rotary Club of Orangeburg-Morning fund-raiser/raffle held earlier this month, he knew he would "win something."

But never did he believe the something would be a vehicle.

"I did not buy a ticket expecting to win," Welch said. "When you buy a ticket, you never think you are going to win. Even when I was in the top 10, I did not think I was going to win the car. In fact, I did not think I would win anything."

But then Welch found himself standing with the top three. "Then was I standing in the last two," he said.

And then he was the winner.

"Unbelievable," Welch said, recalling his thought process as he was the only one left standing. "This is unbelievable. Even when I won it ... people said you are not smiling. I said I am not smiling because this is a shock!"

Welch won a Ford Taurus X from Whatley Ford on U.S. 301. Welch says the vehicle, which will be delivered, is to be either white, tan or silver.

"This is fortuitous in that I have a '99 Expedition that has over 100,000 miles on it," he said. "It was about time to look at another vehicle."

The raffle and rally netted about $15,000 and grossed about $36,000, compared to last year's event which grossed about $48,000.

About 330 tickets were sold, and around 300 people attended the fund-raiser.

Tickets were sold for $100 each. It was the fourth annual raffle fund-raiser for Rotary.

"The Rotary Clubs of Orangeburg each year make significant financial contributions to the Boy Scouts, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, local student college scholarships and international humanitarian projects," Orangeburg Rotary Club President Richard Fowler said. "The funds raised through the Rotary Rally provide the means for these local and international service projects. The great winner is the children."

And that is the reason why Welch says he has often participated in fund-raisers.

"If you are not willing to help the community, then you ought not live in the community," Welch said. "If you are privileged enough to be able to do that, you ought to do that."

Morning Club President Bill Carter said the money goes to a good cause.

"This is our primary fundraiser for the year," Carter said.

Paul Whatley, owner of Whatley Ford, said the dealership recognizes the importance Orangeburg Rotary plays in the community and expressed his appreciation in being part of the giveaway.

"We were very honored to be a part of it," Whatley said. "We are happy to be Mr. Welch's choice of cars too. He picked a Ford product and we are happy with that."

The second-place award, which will include a weekend at Edisto Beach, went to Bill Dantzler. The third place award of two tickets to the Heritage Golf Classic in Hilton Head went to Mary Scarborough.

Other prizes included outdoor furniture and jewelry to name a few. Attendees were also treated to the music of Riptide.

T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551. Discuss this and other stories at TheTandD.com.

You must be logged in to comment.