The Whiskey Raffle Committee is proud to announce the monumental success of this year’s Whiskey Raffle, which raised just shy of $10,000 for our charitable work—marking the fourth consecutive year the club has increased the money raised through this flagship fundraiser! The total revenue exceeded $11,000 from approximately 550 tickets sold, demonstrating the tremendous public support for our mission. This record-breaking year confirms that the raffle committee has developed an excellent model for success and significantly expanded the club’s reach.

The months leading up to the final drawing at Politan Row were filled with energy, as documented in our weekly updates. These newsletters highlighted the aggressive promotion of ticket sales, the best prize pool ever offered, and the innovative approach to event hosting. This success was driven by two major strategic changes.

First, the generosity of our membership was unparalleled. In a huge display of commitment, members responded to calls for donations, resulting in all 12 prize funds’ bottles being donated. This key effort dramatically lowered expenses, which totaled about $1,500, directly maximizing the net funds available for community service.

Second, the committee introduced a brand-new promotional idea: whiskey tastings. These events were a massive hit and served a dual purpose. They created high-value experiences that promoted the raffle, while simultaneously raising awareness of the Dunwoody Rotary Club within the local community. These included private member events, a neighborhood tasting at a local HOA common room, and premium tasting partnerships with local restaurants, featuring world-class spirits like Glenmorangie Scotch, High West Whiskey, and a prestigious Whistle Pig tasting at Louisiana Bistreaux.

The true measure of this model’s success lies in our expanding community reach. More than two-thirds of all tickets purchased this year were sold to non-members. This remarkable figure underscores the effectiveness of the new tasting events and the social media campaign in engaging the broader public who share our passion for both good causes and great whiskey. Additionally, the Dunwoody Crier highlighted the raffle in their article Dunwoody Rotary Whiskey Raffle raises funds for struggling residents.

This incredible fundraising feat means we can continue and expand our impactful service projects, from supporting our local schools to working toward international peace and health initiatives. The Whiskey Raffle Committee is already looking ahead to next year, excited to expand the whiskey tastings further, increase the total prize pool, and set our sights on raising even more money for Service Above Self in 2026!