Joint PTO raffle raises $27k and awards a firetruck ride to school
April 21, 2024 | By Lisa Scagliotti Last Tuesday morning, Brookside Primary School first grader Liam Lande, skipped hopping on the school bus for an extra-special lift to school.
Anyone noticing along Stowe Street might have raised an eyebrow at the sight of a Waterbury Fire Department fire engine pulling in shortly after school opened. But there was no fire. Not even a drill.
First grader Liam Lande gives Waterbury firefighter Michael Frank a high five after his ride to school on April 16. His classmates and teacher Amy Bryant met Liam and the firetruck at the curb. Photos by Gordon Miller
The firetruck pulling into the school grounds instead was met by a cheering bouncing group of Liam’s classmates along with teacher Amy Bryant.
The ride, courtesy of firefighter Michael Frank, was a sought-after prize. For the second year in a row, Waterbury Fire Department agreed to be on the list of dozens of prizes as part of a joint Parent Teacher Organization fundraiser at Brookside Primary and Crossett Brook Middle schools.
Held during the month of February, the PTO Calendar Raffle was declared a “huge success” by parent organizers. According to Crossett Brook PTO parent David Rye, some 64 businesses contributed prizes worth $9,000. Community members purchased hundreds of tickets and drawings were held daily. The effort raised over $27,000, Rye said, which the two groups will share to help fund enrichment and extracurricular activities such as field trips, teacher and student projects, teacher appreciation efforts, etc.
The raffle began several years ago and in 2023, the two parent-teacher groups joined forces to organize and run it together. In addition to daily prizes, Rye said there were special student prizes drawn, including pizza parties, passes to the Get Air trampoline gym in Williston, Vermont State Parks passes, and an exciting ride to school in a Waterbury Fire Department firetruck.
For the second year in a row, firefighter Michael Frank provided a tour of the equipment and the lift to school from the Maple Street fire station in Waterbury Center.
The treat was shared with Liam’s class who waited along the sidewalk outside the school for the truck to arrive.
Photos below by Gordon Miller. Click to enlarge
