Pregnancy Center hopes to boost funds with annual raffle

BARSTOW • The Barstow Pregnancy and Counseling Center will begin selling tickets tomorrow for its annual raffle, with proceeds going toward costs to run the organization.

The center has been in service since 1992 and in recent years faced financial difficulty after regular grants and donations were cut short.

“Our expenditures are more than we’re bringing in,” center board member Charles Robey said. “Once again we might have to close doors if we don’t get more funding coming in.”

Every month the center serves between 80 and 175 people offering everything from free pregnancy tests, life skills, childbirth and parenting classes, and even a faith-based program to teach men how to be responsible.

“It’s the best kept secret in Barstow,” Robey touts.

The money accumulated from the raffle tickets will go towards new curriculum, office supplies and many of the expendable costs the center incurs, Robey said.

“The biggest part of our expenditures are diapers and wipes,” he said.

Raffle tickets will sell at the center on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $20 dollars each, with 400 available. The first-place prize is $1,500, second place is $1,000 and third place is $500.

Tickets are tax-deductible and sales end Dec. 17. The drawing will be held at the Barstow Pregnancy Center on Dec. 19 at 3:30 p.m.

Those interested in buying tickets or otherwise supporting the center can call Robey at 760-267-4605.