WINNERS OF THE fifth-annual Holy Spirit Catholic School raffle fundraiser have been announced. The recipient of the $10,000 first prize was Mark Sanicki of Niagara, Wis. From left are Holy Spirit School Principal Cathy Menghini, fundraiser event organizer Paula Pieropon Land and the Rev. Marty Flynn, pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church of Norway and St. Barbara Catholic Church in Vulcan. (Submitted photo)

NORWAY — This year’s $10,000 grand prize winner in the fifth-annual Holy Spirit Catholic School raffle fundraiser drawing was Mark Sanicki of Niagara, Wis.

Other cash prize winners were Michele Haferkorn of Norway, second, $4,000; Mona Servia of Norway, third, $3,000; the Groeneveld family of Quinnesec, fourth, $2,000; and Steve and Pat Spera of Norway, fifth, $1,000.

Once again, the 50-50 drawing raised $40,000, with half going to school and the other half awarded.

Organizer Paula Pieropon Land said the ticket for the Groeneveld family was purchased by Nick and Kelsey Mellon. She explained Cory Groeneveld has been fighting cancer and unable to work, and he and his wife, Hannah, have five children ranging in ages from younger than a year to 12.

“And by the grace of God … they won $2,000 — how awesome was that?” she said.

The Rev. Marty Flynn, pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church of Norway and St. Barbara Catholic Church in Vulcan, drew the names Tuesday evening at Thirsty Whale in Norway.

Tickets this year sold out in record time, with the last purchased at the Holy Spirit Craft Show, Land said, adding all five years have been sellouts.

This year’s top seller was Louie Giuliani of Norway.

“Thank you to everyone — sellers, buyers and office staff — who helped make it another successful fundraiser,” she said. “It truly takes a village.”

Land noted that the drawing drew a great crowd at Thirsty Whale, as well as many watching live on Facebook.

Organizers already plan to bring back the 50-50 fundraiser next year.

“Holy Spirit is a great faith-based school with benefits of one-on-one learning,” Land said.