Raffle to benefit Hope Village

By By Steve Gillespie/staff writer
Jan. 15, 2002
Juanice Evans and Linda Edwards don't know what teams could play in this year's Super Bowl.
But the two former foster parents nevertheless plan to use the annual event to help raise money for Hope Village for Children.
They persuaded their local chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi community service organization to raffle a Super Bowl Party Pack containing $200-$250 worth of items.
Tickets are $1 each, with the winner drawn Jan. 22 during the 5 p.m. news broadcast on television station WTOK.
Last year, the local Beta Sigma Phi chapter raised about $300 for Hope Village a home for neglected and abused children. Evans is chapter president and Edwards is secretary.
This year, Edwards said, ticket sales are up. Plus, she said, more merchants have donated items for the pack which will be delivered to the winner in a wooden crate.
Among the items: a cooked Boston butt, snack foods, soft drinks, napkins, plates and grocery and restaurant gift certificates. The party pack also includes the 2001 Beta Sigma Phi cookbook, "Easy Entertaining: Celebrating with Friends."
More than 40 years ago, Evans became a foster parent in California.
Eventually she adopted the child. Her adopted son is now 42 and the father of four.
Edwards, formerly of Columbus, has been a foster parent to five children.
Both women said they are committed to helping Hope Village for Children because they've seen the effects of abuse and neglect on children first-hand.
Asked who the women will be pulling for during the Super Bowl on Feb. 3, both said they weren't sure who is in the playoffs.