East End resident Muriel Penn (inset) is the winner of the Ford Ranger XTL, which was the grand prize of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) fundraising raffle held in collaboration with Tortola Auto Group (TAG) and Delta Petroleum. Photo: VINO

Winner of the Ford Ranger XTL, Muriel Penn, right, is congratulated by Deputy Police Commissioner Alwin James, centre. Photo: VINO

The raffle drawing was held last evening, December 24, 2019 at the Delta Petroleum service station at Pasea.

Supporting the cause!

An elated Penn said she bought raffle tickets because of the cause; however, she had a strong feeling she was going to win the truck.

"I won, I won, I told you, I told you," she said running to the person who sold her the ticket and was on site at the drawing.

Penn was at her East End home when she received the call that left her in disbelief.

"I have to get someone to bring me, I cannot drive now, I am too excited," Penn screamed over the phone.

About 20 minutes later she arrived at the Delta Petroleum service station at Pasea location, dancing and singing, "I come for my truck."

She later admitted it was the first time she won a prize in a raffle.

Penn can now roll up at the Delta Petroleum service station for the next six months without paying for gas, compliments of Delta Petroleum.

Other winners

In other draws last evening, Margret Bolton won $500 cash and another person who wrote her name only as ‘Beckie’ won a 55” Smart TV.

Leading up to the grand draw there were three early bird draws plus a police week bonus draw at Delta Petroleum on Black Friday, December 29, 2019 where persons won multiple prizes, including 4 round-trip tickets to St Thomas courtesy Road Town Fast Ferry, a 50” Smart TV courtesy of Roadtown Wholesale (RTW) and a Dell laptop courtesy of Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL).

Other sponsors of the raffle included Nagico Insurances, KAD Pools, Travel Wize Ltd and PST Law Firm.

RVIPF displays commitment to community

The grand raffle drawing for the RVIPF climaxed a year in which it had the community closely to its heart, as displayed in the many community-minded initiatives.

In February 2019 the RVIPF celebrated Police Week and as part of the observances it decided to give back in a major way to the community.

A walkathon was organised and the RVIPF was able to raise $7500, which was donated to The BVI Autism Centre.

A major food drive was also held by all police stations and food items, baby products, and other non-perishables were donated to Family Support Network (FSN).

There was also a ‘plant a tree initiative’ where ranks went to the homes of elderly persons and planted and tended to fruit trees, which were also donated.

Bingo and games night were held for the elderly on Tortola and Virgin Gorda and gifts and food and drinks were provided to the elderly participants.

“It is initiatives like these that focus on the elderly, young and at risk that we plan on continuing for 2020, and that was the main reason why the raffle came about and, thankfully to the many sponsors and supporters, it was a success,” commented Deputy Police Commissioner, Alwin James.