Spirit of Volunteerism Ensures Future Looks Bright in Faulkton!

Selling tickets to people living in Alaska?

The Faulkton Area Foundation (FAF) never dreamed the $1.87 million jackpot from their Chase the Ace fundraiser would catch the attention of folks who lived thousands of miles away.

But in 2020-2021, that’s exactly what it did. People from across the country were clamoring at the chance to win a purse that swelled to numbers no one could fathom.

“We didn’t think it would gain the attention nor expand like it did,” said FAF board president Lisa Mueller. “We knew it had the capacity to be a very beneficial fundraiser for our community, however not as big and as fast as it became!” 

The Faulkton Area Economic Development is celebrating not only the success of this fundraiser, but how the community of Faulkton embodies the spirit of April’s National Volunteer Month year-round.

The Chase

It all began when board members including then-President Troy Hadrick, VP Randy Tisher, Secretary Lisa Mueller, Treasurer Dwight Hossle, Alicia Hammond, Kevin Deiter, and Roxy Bossly began brainstorming fundraising ideas to fund community projects and improvements.

“We also had to face the era of COVID and be creative on how to make it work. But it became something locals and non-locals through Facebook Live could look forward to weekly while being limited on their social activity,” said Mueller.

They chose Chase the Ace after seeing how the fundraiser benefitted other communities. Each week, participants could buy a ticket for five bucks and a chance to win 10% of the weekly sales as well as a shot of picking the winning envelope. If the envelope contained the Ace of Spades, they won half the jackpot. If it didn’t, a new round began with the jackpot accumulating.

“We began with a small 12-inch by 10-inch spinner and then got a larger spinner to hold the tickets,” said Mueller. “However, the game got so popular by the 41st week we ended up having to use a cattle trough to hold all of the tickets, then had to expand it with extra high cardboard sides. Twenty, eighteen gallon totes full of tickets were dumped in on the final night!”

They also had to call in an army of volunteers. 

“Every week, not only the seven board members and their families were involved, but as the pot grew and it became a known weekly event within the community, state, and even country, we had a group of at least 100 helpers lending a hand,” said Mueller.

A Community Like No Other

Due to the overwhelming response, the FAF decided to cut the game short at 42 weeks with 13 cards left in the deck.

People from across the country poured into town or watched online with baited breath for the final draw on April 28, 2021. The spectacle drew Keloland and Dakota News cameras with separate watch parties and locations needed to handle the attendance.

A gentleman from Watertown had the joy of hearing his name called as the weekly winner. He also chose the coveted envelope hiding the Ace of Spades. Half the $1.87 million purse went to him, the other to the FAF, which they invested with the South Dakota Community Foundation to be used for various grants that are awarded bi-annually; money that comes strictly from the interest earned from the winnings.

But the real jackpot was discovering just how strong the spirit of volunteerism shines in South Dakota. 

“The community of Faulkton is like no other. While the ‘Chase the Ace’ fundraiser was organized and operated by the FAF, the entire community actively contributed their time and skills to support this local cause without expecting any form of reimbursement,” said Mueller. “We are forever grateful for this opportunity and the volunteerism that factored into our success!”

Milestone in the Making 

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the FAF. The mission? Continue to raise money to support various community projects and improvements via a permanent endowment fund that functions as a community savings account.

Current board members include President Lisa Mueller, VP Roxy Bossly, Secretary Alicia Hammond, Treasurer Dwight Hossle, Dalton Baloun, Kevin Deiter, and Randy Tisher.

Individuals as well as businesses can also invest in Faulkton’s future with a tax-deductible donation through cash gifts, check, credit card or non-cash gifts including stocks, bonds, land, real estate, commodities, personal or other property.

To find out more about the Faulkton Area Foundation and how you can support the community of Faulkton, click here!