A local raffle raised a basket full of money for the Edgecomb Eddy School’s sixth grade. Volunteers Gail Boudin and June Finnegan organized five gift basket raffles which garnered $550. The prizes were individual baskets filled with items for coffee lovers, tea lovers, lobster lovers and two with hair care products.

Ticket sales began in August and the drawing was held during the school’s Sept. 22 open house.

The proceeds will offset student costs for three class trips. Each fall, Edgecomb Eddy sixth graders spend four days and three nights at the Chewonki Foundation in Wiscasset. The students work cooperatively carrying all of their supplies to the campsite, and, once there, they set up their tents, situated on wooden platforms. The students participate in a series of activities developing their teamwork and leadership skills.

In the spring, the class travels to Hadlock Field for a Portland Sea Dogs' game. The students usually meet team mascot Slugger and sometimes interact with the players.

A Boston trip occurs later in the spring and varies each year. The students typically travel by train for a day trip. In past years, the sixth grade has visited the Boston Museum of Science, Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall, New England Aquarium, and taken the duck boat tour on an amphibious vehicle.

Boudin began the raffle as a way to offset costs for the three trips. She enlisted Finnegan to organize the fundraiser. Both women have ties to the school’s sixth grade. Boudin is the grandmother of sixth grader Henry Boudin and Finnegan is the school’s former nurse. The two women also recruited several community volunteers to participate, including school cafeteria worker and Boothbay salon A Cut Above employee Heidi Stevens, Karen Potter and her daughter and Edgecomb Eddy sixth grader Carolyn, and Henry Boudin.

A Cut Above donated items for the two hair care baskets. Gail Boudin was inspired to organize the fundraiser by American anthropologist-author Margaret Mead’s quote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.” The quote has always motivated Boudin to participate in community events.

“It’s a wonderful saying and my life’s philosophy,” Boudin said.

Tickets were sold for $1 a piece or six for $5. Gail Boudin said the fundraiser was well-received in the community. “Some people were so kind they just wanted to donate money and didn’t care about the prizes,” she said. “They told us we don’t need a thing. We think what you are doing is great and just want to donate to such a good cause,” she said.

The volunteers began selling raffle tickets in August at Ames True Value Supply in Wiscasset. Other tickets were sold in September during the Edgecomb Congregational Church’s yard sale.