“Florida or Jamaica?”  That was the question Patrick Belcher, Chairman of the Suffolk Rotary Club Raffle, asked Loretta Martin, winner of this year's raffle, when she answered the phone on the Monday after Peanut Fest.  Without hesitation she said “Jamaica”.

“Florida or Jamaica?”  That was the question Patrick Belcher of the Suffolk Rotary Club asked Loretta Martin when she answered the phone on the Monday after Peanut Fest.  A little confused, she asked for clarification and Belcher explained he was from the Rotary Club of Suffolk and that she had won the grand prize, and without hesitation she said “Jamaica”.

In addition, to the grand prize, the club also gives a second prize of $500 which was won by Bobby House of Suffolk Insurance.

Each year the Rotary club sponsors a charity raffle with the prize being drawn at Peanut Fest.  This year’s prize was drawn by 2 ballerinas from Carrollton performing at this year’s peanut fest.  The raffle generates fund for the clubs charity fund.  The Club of Suffolk support: local charities such as the Education Foundation and the Western Tidewater Free Clinic; International charities like Stop Hunger Now;  And provides 10-$1000 scholarships, two to each area high school.

This year’s raffle winner had the choice between a Family of 4 vacation to Walt Disney World, or a couples vacation to Sandals.  Each vacation was for 5 nights and was all inclusive including $1000 in spending cash.  In September, Dr. Julian, President of Sentara-Obici, had given the raffle tickets to many of the Managers at the hospital.  Dr. Julian stated. “This group is one of the hardest working groups in the hospital and plays a key role in our success,” he continued, “ I could not be happier that Loretta won!”

So when Loretta called her husband to share the good news, she asked, “Florida or Jamaica?”  he agreed with her choice of Jamaica.