Health & Wealth Raffle Early Draw awards Mini Cooper and $10K to lucky winners

(May 2015) -- Shana Gutierrez of Lake Havasu couldn’t believe her luck when she learned that she had won a sporty new 2015 Mini Cooper S—awarded during the early draw of the Spring 2015 Health & Wealth Raffle, benefiting Barrow and St. Joseph’s.

“This doesn’t even seem like it could be real,” she said, moments after sitting in her new car for the first time. She was handed the keys to the Mini Cooper during a surprise awards presentation on Thursday. “I honestly didn’t think I’d win a car. It’s amazing!”

Gutierrez, who manages a boat-storage facility and is married to a police officer, has bought tickets to the raffle for nearly five years. “The prizes are phenomenal,” she said, “but it’s also good to know the money is going to Barrow. 

The Health & Wealth Raffle supports patient care, research and medical education at Barrow Neurological Institute and St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center.

Gutierrez was just one of four winners of the Health & Wealth Raffle’s early draw prizes, which included a Lake Tahoe vacation, VIP tickets to Phantom of the Opera, and a check for $10,000.

“I would have been happy with tickets to Phantom of the Opera because I’m planning a night out with my wife,” said Mark Wilson of Tempe, who was the surprised with a $10,000 check on Wednesday. “But with this money, I’m sure I’ll be able find something else for us to do!” 

As a financial controller for a private equity firm, Wilson has analyzed the odds for winning and is confident he’s investing wisely.  “I thought if I played enough, I’d eventually win,” he said. “The odds are better than the lottery and it supports a good cause.” 

Health & Wealth Raffle players have a 1-in-25 chance of winning thousands of prizes each spring and fall, including cars, vacations and cash. The Grand Prize is $1 million. The deadline to purchase tickets is May 14. For a complete list of prizes and to buy tickets, visit HealthWealthRaffle.org.