LAKE OCONEE — “2 Ways 2 Win” is the fall fundraising campaign for the Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy in Greene and Putnam counties.

Looking for an alternative event this year, the Community Action Teams (CAT) of Greene and Putnam counties are having an adopt-a-reader campaign that will culminate Oct. 21 with a drawing for three major prizes. It is referred to as an adopt-a-reader campaign because, with each $35 donation, ticketholders are providing a local child with one book per month for an entire year.

Diana O’Keefe, Chairperson of the Greene County CAT, explained that win #1 refers to the prizes that three of the fortunate ticketholders will receive.

“The holder of the first ticket drawn will receive a $1,000 gift certificate for in-store jewelry from Aurum’s. The holder of the second ticket drawn will become a member of the World Explorer Wine Club, compliments of Kevin O’Sullivan and Zeb Grant. This winner will receive two bottles of red wine and two bottles of white wine each month for a year. Flowers-of-the-month from Z. Grant for a year is the prize for the holder of the third ticket drawn,” said O’Keefe.

She added, “We are so grateful to these local businesses for providing us with these incredible prizes.”

“Of course, the biggest winners are the children from birth to age five in Greene and Putnam counties who will be able to have age-appropriate books mailed to their homes each month because of the generous donations of our supporters,” said Putnam CAT Chairperson Cathy Mize. “That’s win #2! Between our two counties we currently have approximately 1,200 children enrolled. This is our major fundraiser of the year to help ensure that the money is in place to cover the cost of the books for these children and any others we register. Our goal is to have 500 children adopted through this campaign,” Mize declared.

The drawing will be held at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at Blu Culina in Harmony Crossing. Our proceeds will be further boosted by those wishing to purchase food that evening as the owners of Blu Culina have so generously agreed that the two Ferst organizations will receive a portion of the money spent at the restaurant that evening. Whether you choose to eat or not, please join us for socializing and the drawing. Those wishing to dine at Blu Culina that evening are encouraged to make reservations by calling 706-991-9970.

To monitor the progress of Greene and Putnam Ferst Foundations toward its goal of covering the cost of books for 500 children, make sure you read next week’s paper for an update. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact Pat Hone at 706-484-0865, Diana OKeefe at 706-467-3765, or Cathy Mize at 478-454-7150. Tickets are also available at Aurum’s, Z Grant’s, and Blu Culina. To register a child to receive monthly books, go to www.ferstfoundation.org.