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  • 2018 BRICKPICKER LEGO RAFFLE FOR ST. PAUL SCHOOL!

    Ed Mack

    By Ed Mack (edited)

    Hello LEGO fans...

    It's that time of year again.  Time to raise money for my son Max's school, St. Paul School, in Burlington, NJ.  After two very...VERY...successful LEGO Raffles...

    ...in which we raised over $100,000.00 for the school, another year has passed, and it’s time to raffle off some dynamic LEGO gifts for charity. The money we raised the last two years 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:

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

    CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE 2018 BRICKPICKER LEGO RAFFLE FOR ST. PAUL SCHOOL!

    As I stated the last two years, St. Paul School (SPS) and its community are special.  My son loves the school, even though he won't admit it.  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)
    • This year, we even added a LEGO club!

    But all is not wonderful though.  As many of you know, many Catholic schools have a hard time making ends meet. Enrollments are down and many families do not have the extra money to spend on a private education.  Even superb schools like St. Paul School have a hard time keeping the doors open.  While our enrollment has stabilized, we will still be way short of breaking even; thus the need for the 2018 BRICKPICKER LEGO RAFFLE. This year’s version of the LEGO raffle will start with TEN awesome prizes. These include:

                              2018 LEGO RAFFLE PRIZES

    $1000 Amazon Gift Card

    75192 UCS Millennium Falcon  

    The Lord of the Rings Two Towers Lot

    • 9474 LOTR Battle of Helms Deep

    • 10237 Tower of Orthanc

    • 9471 Uruk-Hai Army

    STAR WARS Empire Strikes Back Hoth Lot

    • 75098 UCS Assault on Hoth

    • 7879 Hoth Echo Base

    • TWO 8083 Rebel Trooper Battle Packs

    • TWO 8084 Snowtrooper Battle Packs

    • 8129 AT-AT Walker

    PICK ANY (ONE) RETIRED SET.  IF WINNER BUYS A COMBINED $100 OR MORE OF ANY RAFFLE TICKETS, PICK TWO!!!!

    • 10218 Pet Shop

    • 10211 Grand Emporium

    • 10197 Fire Brigade

    • 76023 The Tumbler

    • 10228 Haunted House

    • 10227 UCS B-Wing Starfighter

    • 10236 Ewok Village

    • 10240 Red Five X-Wing Starfighter

    10221 UCS Super Star Destroyer

    10188 Death Star with “Bonus Set”  

    Pick a New Set (Taj Mahal OR Ghostbusters Headquarters OR Disney Castle)

    BrickPicker Mystery Lot (Guaranteed to be AT LEAST 5000 pieces)

    10030 UCS Imperial Star Destroyer (Used and complete)

     

    Once again, this year’s total prize value exceeds the previous two year's total prize value.  The last two years, we had 21 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. I wish we had some winners in New Jersey so I can hand deliver the sets...maybe this year!  We even had a repeat winner!  The 2018 BRICKPICKER LEGO RAFFLE can be found here on the secure Rally.up.com site:

    CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE 2018 BRICKPICKER LEGO RAFFLE FOR ST. PAUL SCHOOL!

    Like the last two years, 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. The last two years, the LEGO BRICKPICKER RAFFLES 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(s).  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, once again, I would like to thank every person who donated sets/money and/or bought tickets to last two year’s LEGO BRICKPICKER RAFFLES. It helped save 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 March 13, 2018 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: March 13, 2018 at 11:59 PM EST (My 50th Birthday)

    DRAWING DATE: March 14, 2018 at 12:00 AM EST

    Thanks again!

    Ed Mack

    Edited by Ed Mack

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    Randyipp
    On 2/12/2018 at 11:36 AM, Ed Mack said:

    As in past years, I will buy tickets for those people who want to use PayPal instead of a credit card.  If you send me money to my PayPal account, I will buy the tickets (and send you the ticket information) with my own credit card.  I have done this numerous times over the past two years.  

     

    4 hours ago, Furious_george said:

    I would like to buy a ticket this year , but putting in all my personal details for a raffle I more than likely will not win , puts me off.

     

    See above post, maybe that will help.

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    atravia

    Thank you to all who contribute to this wonderful school.  Everyone at this school has taken my children in like they are family. My children have grown so much since starting there in Pre-K.  Here are just a few pictures of what your support does for my children and the school.  We appreciate all that you do.  Thank you for all that you do to help my children grow and learn.

    basketball.jpg

    bones.jpg

    halloween.jpg

    hulk 2.jpg

    lego hulk.jpg

    soccer.jpg

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    AirborneAFOL

    Just got my annual bonus and looking to yet again buy a block of tickets. Couple quick questions...

    1. This is NOT a tax-deductible charitable donation under US IRS tax code, correct? (I don’t think past years were, but not 100% sure)

    2. Any opportunities for some “inside info” on how which Lots may have low participation? Last year during the live broadcast I was able to bribe Ed by making a real-time $100 purchase in exchange for a tip-off on which lots appeared to have “best chances to win” (based on not as many tickets sold for them yet - he simply said something to the effect of “The Friends and Mystery lot probably have pretty good odds for winning at the moment”). It was a nice perk for those having tuned into the broadcast or watching the replay. I’d certainly be susceptible to going over my planned raffle budget again this year in exchange for a similar insight! :-). Again, just to be clear, I’m not soliciting any non-public info (and never have), and I’ve never won before, but some “teaser insights” for those of us who enthusiastically participate in the raffle are always welcome!

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    Ed Mack
    2 hours ago, waddamon said:

    I'm in Ed, thanks for all you guys do for us on this site.

    As always, you are too generous.  Thank you.

    3 hours ago, AirborneAFOL said:

    Just got my annual bonus and looking to yet again buy a block of tickets. Couple quick questions...

    1. This is NOT a tax-deductible charitable donation under US IRS tax code, correct? (I don’t think past years were, but not 100% sure)

    2. Any opportunities for some “inside info” on how which Lots may have low participation? Last year during the live broadcast I was able to bribe Ed by making a real-time $100 purchase in exchange for a tip-off on which lots appeared to have “best chances to win” (based on not as many tickets sold for them yet - he simply said something to the effect of “The Friends and Mystery lot probably have pretty good odds for winning at the moment”). It was a nice perk for those having tuned into the broadcast or watching the replay. I’d certainly be susceptible to going over my planned raffle budget again this year in exchange for a similar insight! :-). Again, just to be clear, I’m not soliciting any non-public info (and never have), and I’ve never won before, but some “teaser insights” for those of us who enthusiastically participate in the raffle are always welcome!

    1.  No, I don't think so.

    2.  Let me do some research.

    • Thanks 1
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    Sneltnor

    Hello. Long time SPS parent here and I just want to say THANK YOU to all of you who have contributed to this raffle! My children and I are grateful for all of the continued support. Thank You!

    123BB541-F388-4DCD-A4C9-256E50782CF0.jpeg

    DEE4C9CD-DFBE-467B-808A-04AE6BCEFB29.jpeg

    52BCCC3C-DF75-4EB2-B4D7-F47C3AD967C8.jpeg

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    suzyturps

    What a GREAT way to help these very special kids in this very special school succeed!!  Thanks for all the wonderful work you do.  I've had 4 beautiful girls go through St. Paul's from Kindergarten through 8th grade and they have all become focused, successful, driven and smart women!  Their futures are bright because of what they learned at St. Paul School!  

    turpins beach shot.JPG

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    Ed Mack
    3 hours ago, Randyipp said:

    Raffles never qualify as a donations for tax purposes.  You could use it as a gambling loss if you have other winnings, and you don't win this raffle!

    Right, raffles don't qualify but straight donations do qualify.  

     

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    Ed Mack

    I want people to remember that I will buy tickets for them if you want to send me money through PayPal.  I have done this dozens of times over the past three years.  Private message me.  Thanks. 

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    Ed Mack
    5 hours ago, AirborneAFOL said:

    Just got my annual bonus and looking to yet again buy a block of tickets. Couple quick questions...

     Any opportunities for some “inside info” on how which Lots may have low participation? Last year during the live broadcast I was able to bribe Ed by making a real-time $100 purchase in exchange for a tip-off on which lots appeared to have “best chances to win” (based on not as many tickets sold for them yet - he simply said something to the effect of “The Friends and Mystery lot probably have pretty good odds for winning at the moment”). It was a nice perk for those having tuned into the broadcast or watching the replay. I’d certainly be susceptible to going over my planned raffle budget again this year in exchange for a similar insight! :-). Again, just to be clear, I’m not soliciting any non-public info (and never have), and I’ve never won before, but some “teaser insights” for those of us who enthusiastically participate in the raffle are always welcome!

    Here you go...

     

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    Ed Mack
    19 minutes ago, waddamon said:

    Well, if we are so lucky to win something, my kids and I will be building.

    You have a great chance.  I would like for you to win them all so I can put them on one pallet and ship it.  I am secretly pulling for people from NJ.  The last two years, zero people from the Garden State won.  Florida and California are big winners.  Canada and Europe as well.

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    Phil B
    You have a great chance.  I would like for you to win them all so I can put them on one pallet and ship it.  I am secretly pulling for people from NJ.  The last two years, zero people from the Garden State won.  Florida and California are big winners.  Canada and Europe as well.

    Now I finally understand why@Lordoflego moved!
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    AirborneAFOL

    Is the running “Contribution Total” listed anywhere?

    (I suspect I’m just too distracted by the Minnesota High School Hockey tournament too see it...)

    Hopeful we can at least hit $25-30k this year...

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    Ed Mack
    11 minutes ago, AirborneAFOL said:

    Is the running “Contribution Total” listed anywhere?

    (I suspect I’m just too distracted by the Minnesota High School Hockey tournament too see it...)

    Hopeful we can at least hit $25-30k this year...

    On the homepage there is a small widget to the top left.  We are close to $18,000.00.  I would love to hit $25 K.  They last few days are always the busiest and we will put out another email to Brickpickers and past participants.  

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    LisaH

    Thank You all so much!! This community, just like St. Paul School, is full of special people that truly care !! The kids, the staff and the parents are so grateful for all of you who have contributed to this raffle!! 

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    oneknightr

    Bought my tickets. Didn't want to wait until the last minute like last year. I hope you guys hit $25K. As always, this is a fantastic thing you guys are doing. Kids are our future and if we don't take care of them now, who's going to take care of us when we're old and leathery? :derisive:

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    Ed Mack
    7 hours ago, oneknightr said:

    Bought my tickets. Didn't want to wait until the last minute like last year. I hope you guys hit $25K. As always, this is a fantastic thing you guys are doing. Kids are our future and if we don't take care of them now, who's going to take care of us when we're old and leathery? :derisive:

    Thanks...No matter what a person's political or religious beliefs and convictions are, supporting exceptional education is a good thing in my opinion.  This LEGO raffle has and always been about keeping a great school open so that hundreds of children, faculty and families can connect on a daily basis.  It is a positive energy environment that has dealt with adversity on an annual basis and has become stronger because of it.  

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