The recent raffle to benefit the Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness (IFCH) raised $5,000 for the organization.

Emma Amiad, a board member of IFCH, called the money “much needed” and said it would go toward emergency rental assistance, the meal program, utility assistance, moving expenses and medical care.

There were two baskets for the winners this year, thanks to the generous donations of local merchants, Amiad said, and to the hard work of Deb Dammann, the volunteer who went to each business and asked for the gifts. She and Sandy Oelloien of the IFCH board spearheaded the effort with the help of volunteer coordinator Weslie Rogers.

The winners were drawn on Dec. 21, National Homeless Awareness Day. Robin Hruska won one and remarked on the generosity of those who donated to fill it to the brim.

The other raffle winners, an older couple who wished to remain anonymous, decided to “pay it forward” and donated their basket of goodies to the staff at Vashon Community Care.

Donna Zaglin, the director of nursing there, expressed her gratitude, saying the gift exemplified the meaning of Christmas. With over 90 employees, staff at VCC worked to make the distribution of gifts fair and put all employees’ names in a basket, and then drew the lucky winners.

“It went to many people,” Zaglin said. “It was very well received.”