GREG DOTSON, who along with his wife Carrie, created the annual Christmas Raffle which benefits chosen Woodford County nonprofits, took the reins to hold a Christmas in July which raised $33,590 in a single week to benefit the Wilson family, who lost Wilson›s Pool Room and displaced others from their apartments in a fire on July 9. What was really cool is that Greg was able to get Santa to interrupt his work at the North Pole and come to Versailles for the drawing. (Photo by Scott White)
CORNERSTONE DRUGSTORE hosted the drawing for the Dotson Family›s Christmas in July fundraiser for the victims of the Wilson›s Pool Room fire. Carrie and Greg Dotson are third and fourth from left, with Jacqui Wilson and Danni Bradley holding the check for $33,590, and Ben Wilson over Danni›s shoulder and standing next to Santa. There were even more well-wishers outside of the store who were unable to fit inside. (Photo by Scott White)
By Scott White
Woodford Sun Staff and
Report for America corp member
Most folks in Woodford County are familiar with the annual Dotson Christmas Raffle, which Greg and Carrie Dotson dreamed up back in 2020. For every year since, at Christmas, hundreds of Woodford Countians and others buy raffle tickets, with the proceeds being split amongst charities designated by the winners. Last December’s raffle raised $25, 260, with a six-year total of $208,430.
One of the coolest things about the annual event is how it brings the community together, watching Greg post updates of the running total and new prizes being donated on his Facebook page. More often than not, the three winners donate their “gift baskets” to charity as well.
Well, even though the community cannot wait for Christmas this year, the Dotson family decided to do a Christmas in July for a very good reason – to help Ben and Jacqui Wilson, the owners of Wilson’s Pool Room, and the folks displaced by the July 9 fire which destroyed the pool room and the apartments above it.
And, man o’ man, did Santa show up.
In just over a week, Greg hit Facebook hard, and others spread the word by sharing the posts on their own Facebook pages as well as by word-of-mouth. By the time of the drawing, held at Cornerstone Pharmacy at the corner of Lexington and Main streets, the total amount raised was $33,500 . . . the record amount, by far, the Dotsons have raised with this program, and brings the total raised in all of the Christmas raffles to $241,990 . . . money which has gone to help our community.
The funds will be administered by the Woodford Foundation, which is actively working with the Wilsons and the displaced families on their needs. Foundation founder and Board Chair Dani Bradley, was on hand for the drawing and check presentation.
“We lost a very important building in Versailles, people lost their home and one family lost their livelihood. I saw (Judge-Executive) James Kay and (Emergency Management Agency Director) Drew Chandler talking about how folks could help with donations to the Woodford Foundation, and it was a no-brainer,” Greg, in a voice choked with emotion, said. “We need to start up a raffle, get the community to come together to help these people.”
And, after a brief pause, continued, “And, man, did you all ever come together! It is unreal what love everyone has here in Woodford County.”
Greg chose to work with the Woodford Foundation given its experience, and it was already involved.
“Seeing this community come together over this has just been absolutely overwhelming,” Bradley said. She went on to list the things the foundation is now doing with the funds: covering utilities and rent for temporary housing, covering the first month’s rent and deposits on permanent relocation housing, food assistance, and said, “We hope to pay the deductible for the Wilson’s insurance so they can build back. We want the folks who’ve been displaced to feel the embrace of Woodford County and give them the ability to stay here.”
The first-place winner, Jennifer Harvey, received a large meat package donated by the Dotson family, who also farm, and other local meat providers, and donated the meat for a cookout fundraiser set for June 22 to also benefit Wilson’s Pool Room sponsored by American Legion Post 67. The second prize winner, Fiscal Court Magistrate Kelly Carl, received a “Best of Woodford” basket, purchased at My Darling & Co by Servpro Co. Carl will be “re-raffling” the basket at the First Annual Loren “Squirrel” Carl Car Show to be held on August 21 which will benefit the Food Pantry for Woodford County.
Speaking to the standing-room-only crowd at Cornerstone and those watching on the live stream, Greg spoke for all of Woodford County and the thousands who love a good Willy Burger when he said, “Please rebuild.”
And, that became much more of a possibility with the Christmas in July Raffle.