Edith Barr Dunn to say goodbye to 50/50 raffle

The Longboat Key Gourmet Lawn Party is one of the Key’s premier events each year. One staple of the party, however, might go away after this year’s event: the 50/50 raffle.

Organizer Edith Barr Dunn says this year’s event will feature her final 50/50 raffle. No replacement has stepped forward, but Barr Dunn hopes someone will continue her tradition.

“I hope somebody steps forward and wants to do it for the Kiwanis,” she said.

The 50/50 raffle began in the 1970s to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in Memphis, Tenn. Barr Dunn and other local women sold raffle tickets at various charity events and baseball games in the area, and they became known for wearing yellow aprons at each event.

“We needed something with pockets, so a gal had her dressmaker make us some aprons,” she said.

Today, the 50/50 raffle occurs just once a year at the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key’s Gourmet Lawn Party, and raises money for children’s charities in Manatee and Sarasota counties, including Boys and Girls Clubs of both counties, 13th Avenue Dream Center in Bradenton and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Barr Dunn has been involved in the Kiwanis Club for 43 years and is the longest-active woman in the club’s history. She received the club’s Citizen of the Year award in 1984.

The Lawn Party is the Kiwanis Club’s biggest fundraiser of the year and raises more than $50,000 annually. Thirty restaurants from the area will give samples of their dishes, and there will also be drinks and live entertainment.

Barr Dunn reminds attendees to bring cash so they can purchase tickets for the 50/50 raffle.

“I hope people participate this year,” Barr Dunn said. “It’s always just so much fun.”

This year’s Lawn Party will take place from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 6, at the Islandside driving range of the Longboat Key Club. Tickets are $25 in advance; $30 at the gate.

Approximately 30 local restaurants will participate.

In addition to Barr Dunn’s 50/50 raffle, the Kiwanis Club holds a raffle to benefit the Longboat Key Kiwanis Foundation. Tickets are $100 each, and sales are capped at 500. The grand prize winner will receive $20,000.