This year Covid-19 restrictions limited the climax celebration that surrounds the ticket draw down culminating our car raffle event. Despite our limitations, with the tireless efforts of the Junior League and Horizon Foundation members, we were still able to sell out his event. The Lord is ever faithful to supply what we need as we persevere to serve this community and to meet the needs of our fellow citizens. To God be the glory!
This year was special. This was the 4th Horizon Mercedes Raffle. Several things are worthy of note. We sold all 1500 tickets. He had another great Signature Fundraiser with Rotary of Augusta. This year Augusta Locally Grown is the worthy recipient. We had even better support and interaction with Fox 54 WFXA. The magnitude of purchase response and donations after each early morning session on Thursday resulted in hundreds of ticket sale. The final Tuesday morning blitz with past Signature Fundraiser recipients was a great idea by De and RA.
Dustin of Rotary and “guests” like Mayor Davis were keepers. We “discovered” the energy, organization and effort of “wise before his time” RS Brown. Our internet sales as well as just donations were at an all time high. Cudos to Zina McNeil of Advertising Solutions, Tina D’Antignac and Cadence Bank and, of course, De and Lisa Pierce. We root for everyone and favor no one. This year’s winner, First Sergeant Darryl Reaves was the final ticket pulled,#1495. After 22 years active duty he is undergoing medical retirement for injuries incurred during service in hostile arenas. He is retiring to Augusta and could not believe he won. “I have never won anything. I just saw the ads and just wanted to help a good cause.”
This year’s raffle was great in all respects. God has positioned us to do good and great things in our community. We have already made donations to Stamp Branch Baptist Church Food Ministry, Springfield Baptist Church-Thomson Community Outreach. I Am My Brothers Keeper in Harrisburg for meals, showers and other Day Support for homeless in Harrisburg; The Family Y-Food, Clothing, Furniture Warehouse; The Hope House; Salvation Army Center of Hope; Christ Community for healthcare support. We look forward to a robust year of giving and serving. I am hopeful that we will be able to resume free healthcare screenings as COVID 19 allows. We will continue virtual heart health and COVID educational sessions virtually throughout the community. We will continue to look for every opportunity to serve whenever and wherever we find them. We will grow forward as always—in service; extending God’s love from Him—To Us—To Others.
M. Bowman, M. D.
Chairman/Founder
Horizon Foundation
First Sergeant Darryl Reaves of Fort Gordon, Georgia is the winner of this year’s Dr. Mac Bowman Horizon Foundation Mercedes Benz Charity Raffle. His ticket was the last of almost 1500 tickets pulled making him the lucky winner of the 2022 GLA 250 SUV. He is at the end of a distinguished 22 year career in the United States Army.
He commenced 4 months terminal leave a few days before the raffle on 10 February at Mercedes Benz of Augusta. He will be fully retired from The Army at the end of that period.
Congratulations, First Sergeant Reaves. You are a winner who is worthy of this prize and much more for your years of selfless service to our nation and to your community. We are happy that you won and pray that you enjoy it in your new home as you continue to reach out to serve whenever you can. Congratulations! “Top” bought his ticket with no thoughts of winning, but just to help a good cause committed to the service of others. He plans to continue his actions of service to others as an integral part of his “duties of retirement.” This serious, thoughtful, caring soldier’s first question when called by Dr. Bowman while on live TV on WXFG-Fox 54—“is this some kind of SCAM?” A scam it was not. Instead, it was a fitting accompaniment to his new retirement home in nearby Hephzibah, Georgia.
Mac Bowman, M. D.
Founder/Chairman- Dr. Mac Bowman Horizon Foundation