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  • 2017 BRICKPICKER LEGO RAFFLE 2.0 FOR ST. PAUL SCHOOL

    Ed Mack

    By Ed Mack (edited)

    Hello LEGO fans...Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. It's that time of year again. Time to raise money for my son Max's school, St. Paul School, in Burlington, NJ. After a very...VERY...successful first BRICKPICKER LEGO RAFFLE in which we raised over $62,000.00 for the school, a year has passed, and it’s time to raffle off some dynamic LEGO gifts for charity. The money we raised last year literally kept the school open...which is a great thing. It's a special school that once again was voted BEST Private School in Burlington County, NJ, by The Burlington County Times, along with numerous other awards, such as:

    CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE 2017 BRICKPICKER LEGO RAFFLE FOR ST. PAUL SCHOOL!

    • Best Private School
    • Best PreK-Nursery School
    • Best Teacher
    • Best Fundraiser
    • Best Music Instruction
    • Best Tutor Service (Junior National Honor Society)

    As I stated last year, St.Paul School (SPS) and its community are wonderful. People from all races and religions attend St. Paul School. Besides excelling in educating the children, the school does a tremendous amount of charity for local people in need. From food drives to helping out at local retirement homes, the children of St.Paul School are required to perform “service hours” that are designed to teach generosity, altruism and instill a hard-working, disciplined attitude. Excellence is expected and permeates through St. Paul School and the faculty and student body, so does a sense of goodness and frugalness. We make a little money go a long way. For example:

    • All grade levels (Pre – K through 4) are scheduled for “Specials” each week...such as art, music, library, computers, and physical education
    • St.Paul School is nationally accredited by “AdvancED” (the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement – NCA – CASI.
    • SPS middle-school students have three periods of Spanish and are testing into Spanish II for High School.
    • SPS provides more periods of physical education each week than is required by the State.
    • SPS provides multiple extracurricular activities such as: LEGO Robotics Club, Science Club, Vocal Choir, Rosary Group, Tonal Chimes, Hand Bell Choir, Crafty Kids Club, Basketball (Boys/Girls), Indoor Soccer, Cheerleading, Yearbook Club, National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), Student Council, MATHCounts, STREAM (Science Technology Religion Engineering Art Math, Activity Tutorial Period (ATP for 5th-8th grades)

    But all is not wonderful though. As many of you know, many Catholic schools have a hard time making ends meet. Enrollments are down due to weak economic conditions throughout the world. Even superb schools like St. Paul School have a hard time keeping the doors open. While we did pick up 25 new students this past year to ease the financial burden, we will still be way short of breaking even; thus the need for the 2017 BrickPicker LEGO Raffle 2.0. This year’s version of the LEGO raffle will start with TEN awesome prizes.These include:

    PRIZE #1 BRICKPICKER MEMBER RAFFLE LOT:

    • 21301 Birds (Salimr)
    • Comic Con Throne of Ultron (echin313)
    • Comic Con Dagobah Mini-Build (echin313)
    • A mint 7144 Slave I (echin313)
    • A mint 8001 Battle Droid (echin313)
    • 10218 Pet Shop (exciter1)
    • Rio Olympic Mascots set (Emvisawthatswho)
    • 70816 Benny's Spaceship (Brickcrazyhouse)
    • A special custom LEGO snow globe (Flanagan Bros Inc)

    PRIZE #2 BRICKPICKER MYSTERY RAFFLE LOT (OVER 5000 PIECES):

    • A bundle of quality LEGO sets from multiple themes that will far exceed 5000 pieces!

    PRIZE #3:

    • 10220 - VW Camper T1 Van
    • 42056 - Porsche 911 GT3 RS

    PRIZE #4:

    • 10227 - UCS B-Wing
    • 75060 - UCS Slave I

    PRIZE #5:

    • 10221 - UCS Super Star Destroyer

    PRIZE #6:

    • $500 Amazon Gift Certificate

    PRIZE #7:

    • 75159 - UCS Death Star
      • OR
    • 10188 Death Star

    PRIZE #8 CHOICE OF:

    • 75827 - Ghostbusters Firehouse Headquarters
      • OR
    • 71040 - Disney Castle

    PRIZE #9 CHOICE OF:

    • 10225 - UCS R2-D2
      • OR
    • 10197 - Fire Brigade
      • OR
    • 10228 - Haunted House
      • OR
    • 10211 - Grand Emporium

    PRIZE #10:

    • 10255 - Assembly Square
    • 10251 - Brick Bank

    This year’s total prize value exceeds last year’s total by over $1000.00. Last year we had 11 raffle prizes and winners from around the world. From Vancouver, Canada to Reno, Nevada to Miami Beach, Florida to the Isle of Man, United Kingdom and everywhere in between, generous raffle participants were rewarded with awesome LEGO prizes. The 2017 BrickPicker LEGO Raffle 2.0 can be found here on the secure Rally.up.com site:

    CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE 2017 BRICKPICKER LEGO RAFFLE FOR ST. PAUL SCHOOL!

    Like last year, we will ship the prizes to anywhere across the globe. If there is an issue with shipping or prizes, a comparable prize and/or shipping method will be arranged with the winner. Last year, the LEGO BrickPicker Raffle worked very well. The Rallyup.com site is a first class, secure site that made this all possible. They also issued the school a big fat check. All raffle proceeds and donations benefit the school directly by bridging the gap between what tuition covers and actual educational costs. It also raises money to upgrade the school’s technology, keeping St. Paul School ahead of the academic curve with a dynamic curriculum. The prizes have been donated by Jeff and I, the St.Paul School PTA and by some very generous BrickPicker members. I am hoping, like last year, that more people will donate sets after the raffle begins. It was fun adding to the prizes last year. You never know what can pop up as a prize!

    On a personal note, I would like to thank every person who donated sets/money and/or bought tickets to last year’s LEGO BrickPicker Raffle. It saved a wonderful school and kept dozens of people employed and 175 kids with their friends and teachers. I don’t like asking, but will anyway...please help out again this year. Even buying one ticket can help and it gives you a chance to win some great prizes. Watching the raffle ticket total rise every day was an intense rush and extremely gratifying experience. It made me so proud to have started this site with my brother Jeff and made me realize there is still good in this world…

    The contest will end on February 7, 2017 at 11:59 PM. Winners will be notified by Rallyup.com. If you are a winner, please contact me on the site so we can confirm the prizes and shipping addresses. The Rallyup.com site works very well and is secure, so please feel confident in donating to the school and purchasing raffle tickets. All the money goes to St. Paul School, which is a 501(c)(3), and to Rallyup.com for running the raffle. I will make every effort to supply the winners with the appropriate prizes. If there are shipping issues, inventory issues or potential problems beyond my control, I will make sure the winners are awarded LEGO sets/gift cards comparable to the original prizes. Any questions, ideas or concerns, please reply below or PM Jeff or me...

    TICKETS AVAILABLE UNTIL: February 07, 2017 at 11:59 PM EST

    DRAWING DATE: February 08, 2017 at 12:00 PM EST

    Thanks again!

    Ed Mack

    Edited by Ed Mack

    • Like 1
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    Lego Templar
    We sent out an email thru Rallyup.com about an hour ago to people who participated last year and have seen some encouraging results. Thanks.


    Hey Ed after reading this I checked my email didn't see anything. I went into junk mail and there it was. I never mess with the settings and I'm guessing each email company might be different when it comes to filtering emails. What I was going to say is maybe see if there is a "certain way" they can send the email so it doesn't go into junk.

    If you didn't say anything I wouldn't have looked in the junk mail to begin with (possible missed opportunity) maybe send out one more email the day before the fundraiser ends as a last minute reminder and see if there is ways so it doesn't go into junk mail.
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    Ed Mack

    There have been issues with emailing 1200 people from their end. I have been working on it for 2 weeks with them. I have had a good response from people so they must be getting it. Jeff will put out a few blasts in the the last two weeks and I could have them do another next week. You should receive one from us about the LEGOthon Live event on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 PM Eastern today or tomorrow. With regards to that, is there anything members would like to see or ask me or the kids/faculty? Any ideas would be welcome.

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    hadrake
    8 hours ago, Ed Mack said:

    There have been issues with emailing 1200 people from their end. I have been working on it for 2 weeks with them. I have had a good response from people so they must be getting it. Jeff will put out a few blasts in the the last two weeks and I could have them do another next week. You should receive one from us about the LEGOthon Live event on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 PM Eastern today or tomorrow. With regards to that, is there anything members would like to see or ask me or the kids/faculty? Any ideas would be welcome.

    I just received your mail. If I am right, 2:00 pm EST will be 8:00 pm over here in central Europe. In case that I will not be able to watch the livestream, will there be a possibility to watch a recording of it? I really would like to see some impressions from your school and of course from the "celebrity" Ed.☺️

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    Ed Mack
    I just received your mail. If I am right, 2:00 pm EST will be 8:00 pm over here in central Europe. In case that I will not be able to watch the livestream, will there be a possibility to watch a recording of it? I really would like to see some impressions from your school and of course from the "celebrity" Ed.

    Yes. We will record it and have it available for the rest of the week.
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    banshee3

    My mailbox had apparently been full for a while. I cleared it out and then got the email. Then went and got my tickets. To think I almost missed this!  Ya'll do good work. Good luck to you and the kids again this year!

    • Like 2
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    Grynn

    In for 14.

     

    Operation procrastination is complete.

     

    The email was a good nudge. :)

     

    Thank you for your tireless efforts toward Brickpicker, and best wishes for the school!

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    Lego Templar

    What are we at now? I can't see the total. I remember last year we could see it above contribute.

    And Ed I did get a 2nd email today that didn't go to junk mail. Lots of people added today!

    If you havnt yet go to the front page and like my comment!!

    1 like=1 dollar towards the fundraiser!

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    Ed Mack
    What are we at now? I can't see the total. I remember last year we could see it above contribute.

    And Ed I did get a 2nd email today that didn't go to junk mail. Lots of people added today!

    If you havnt yet go to the front page and like my comment!!

    1 like=1 dollar towards the fundraiser!

    We just hit $15,000. I thought everyone could see it. Maybe you need to be registered.
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    Jeff Mack
    15 minutes ago, Lego Templar said:

    What are we at now? I can't see the total. I remember last year we could see it above contribute.

    And Ed I did get a 2nd email today that didn't go to junk mail. Lots of people added today!

    If you havnt yet go to the front page and like my comment!!

    1 like=1 dollar towards the fundraiser!

    Are you looking at it on mobile?  If so, there is a down arrow that opens up and shows you the total.  You do not need to be registered, it is public.  Also look at the widget on the Forum Index, that updates in real time.

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    Lego Templar
    Are you looking at it on mobile?  If so, there is a down arrow that opens up and shows you the total.  You do not need to be registered, it is public.  Also look at the widget on the Forum Index, that updates in real time.


    Yes mobile. See it now!
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    belljohn

    Glad to see things are picking up.  Over 15k now.  I have one donation in, but I never managed to add to the brickpicker lot. Instead I will put up another $100 every 10k.  That will be $100 more at $20,000, $30,000, ....  I just posted it to my Facebook.  Too bad it doesn't auto-import a better image.

    I will try to keep tabs, but poke me if I miss a milestone.

    My school, St. Ann's, doesn't have the same financial issues, but maybe that is because they have had a fall raffle and auction for a number of years now along with good support from the diocese.  I hope lots of St. Paul community can get behind your idea and make it a community event for the common good.

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    Ed Mack
    Glad to see things are picking up.  Over 15k now.  I have one donation in, but I never managed to add to the brickpicker lot. Instead I will put up another $100 every 10k.  That will be $100 more at $20,000, $30,000, ....  I just posted it to my Facebook.  Too bad it doesn't auto-import a better image.
    I will try to keep tabs, but poke me if I miss a milestone.
    My school, St. Ann's, doesn't have the same financial issues, but maybe that is because they have had a fall raffle and auction for a number of years now along with good support from the diocese.  I hope lots of St. Paul community can get behind your idea and make it a community event for the common good.

    Thanks for your offer. The St. Paul community is a strong one, but not big enough unfortunately. The PTA is the best. They raised $260,000 two years ago in two months to keep the school open and $280,000 last year. The good news is that enrollment is up 25 kids this year and now the diocese sees the school as an asset and is helping more. They see the effort the families and faculty have put in to keep it open and the success graduates have in other schools.

    I truly believe we have gotten over the hump. That being said, I hope this is the last LEGO raffle I have to run and that the enrollment grows large enough that regular PTA fundraising will suffice. I feel uncomfortable asking for help. Everybody has issues in their lives and I ask a lot from people. I hope LEGO fans with a negative view of supporting private schools can view it as a LEGO Lottery and take a chance, even if the personal nature of it doesn't interest them. Regardless, the LEGO raffle has some awesome prizes and your chances to win this year are obviously much better this year. I am grateful for all the support and make sure people tune in on Sunday at 2PM Eastern for the Live event.
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    Juan Carlos Gonzalez

    SPS parent here. I just want to say thank you to Ed and his family and friends for doing this. It's great to see the amount of help you've given St. Paul School. Personally, I'm also very excited to win something this year. Last year we didn't win anything other than knowing we helped SPS, and that's enough. But the Ghostbusters Fire Station would be sweet!

    Anyway, this year I also got some of my work colleagues to buy tickets. If they win anything, hopefully they'll let me help build.

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    Ed Mack
    13 minutes ago, Juan Carlos Gonzalez said:

    One question. I am trying to "like" Lego Templar's post but I can't figure out how to do it. What am I missing?

    I think you have to post one more time for that to be active.  Moderators have to approve the first three posts.  It's like a spam filter.  Normally, the bottom right hand corner has a small rectangle that says "LIKE THIS."  

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    Ed Mack
    3 hours ago, Juan Carlos Gonzalez said:

    SPS parent here. I just want to say thank you to Ed and his family and friends for doing this. It's great to see the amount of help you've given St. Paul School. Personally, I'm also very excited to win something this year. Last year we didn't win anything other than knowing we helped SPS, and that's enough. But the Ghostbusters Fire Station would be sweet!

    Anyway, this year I also got some of my work colleagues to buy tickets. If they win anything, hopefully they'll let me help build.

    I hope you win too...It will save me money on shipping costs!

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    trstnkn

    Good luck with the fundraiser - just bought several tickets.

    Just FYI - on the main RallyUp page it says there are 17 days to go below the contribution total.  Don't want the procrastinators to miss the actual 2/7 deadline.

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    Ed Mack
    Good luck with the fundraiser - just bought several tickets.
    Just FYI - on the main RallyUp page it says there are 17 days to go below the contribution total.  Don't want the procrastinators to miss the actual 2/7 deadline.

    Thanks. Just to clarify the Rallyup page. There are seven days after the drawing ends in which people can still donate, but the raffle is over.
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