Stephanie Mueller of Gulfport is the winner of United Way of South Mississippi’s $50,000 Nifty 50 raffle.
Mueller’s winning ticket was pulled during the raffle drawing on Oct. 24 at Patio 44 Coastal Seafood & Steaks in Gulfport. Sixty-eight other prizes, donated by local businesses, were also given away.
The raffle drawing was broadcast live on the organization’s Facebook page, and the grand prize was presented live during the 6:30 p.m. broadcast on WLOX-TV. Tickets for the raffle, which were $100, were on sale between Aug. 22 and Oct. 21.
Funds raised from the raffle, which is in its second year, will be reinvested into the community through its community impact grants. The organization, which serves Hancock, Harrison, Pearl River and Stone counties, recently granted $650,000 to 11 area nonprofits who work in the areas of education, financial stability and health.
In addition to the community impact grants, UWSM awards short-term emergency and emerging needs grants. The organization also organizes many community programs, including PreK4Ward, a kindergarten prep program; the familywize prescription savings card; Fill the Bus, an annual school supply drive; the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library book program; and free tax preparation services.
These grants and programs are made possible by generous donors, said UWSM CEO Kathy Springer.
“Our communities support us in amazing ways, from individual and corporate gifts to buying tickets for the Nifty 50 raffle,” she said. “Without that support, we wouldn’t be able to offer any of our grants or programs.”
Springer said she is already looking forward to the third annual raffle, which will kick off in August 2020.
Additional prize winners include:
- Mary Mahoney’s Old French House, Biloxi: Seafood gumbo by the gallon – George Schlogel
- Mary Mahoney’s Old French House, Biloxi: Seafood gumbo by the gallon – Leesa Aucoin
- Escape This Biloxi: Two gift certificates – Fred Schwan
- Chick-fil-A, Gulfport: Catering trays and a prize basket – Bobbie Skrmetta
- Bella Luna Rentals, Orange Beach, AL: Three-night stay at condominium – John Hudson
- Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra: Gift package and gift certificate – Kingsley Klosson
- Don Murray: Three-night stay at South Carolina cabin – Larry Benefield
- Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, Gulfport: Gift basket and family membership – David White
- Silver Slipper Casino, Bay St. Louis: Lunch or dinner for two – Bert Bordelon
- Favre4Hope: Pro Football Hall of Fame program and Brett Favre autographed football – Stephanie Mueller
- Palace Casino, Biloxi: Two rounds of golf – David Spinks
- Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast, Bay St. Louis: One-night stay, food credit and two rounds of golf – Sandy Allen
- French Kiss Pastries, Ocean Springs: Gift card for strawberry Bavarian cream cake – David Spinks
- Brick & Spoon, Biloxi: Gift certificate – Don Davenport
- The Oaks Golf Club, Pass Christian: Rounds of golf (with cart) for four – Susan Toche
- The Oaks Golf Club, Pass Christian: Rounds of golf (with cart) for four – Corinna Carver
- Courtyard by Marriott Gulfport Beachfront: Two free nights – Duncan McKenzie
- Gulf Coast Carnival Association: Two tickets – Ryan Alexander
- Swetman Photography, Ocean Springs: Custom newborn photography session – Matthew Mestayer
- McDonald’s Descher Organization: One year of free McDonald’s – Nancy Kuhn
- Robin’s Nest in the Pass, Pass Christian: Two Maurice Milleur glasses – Clay Wagner
- The Yard Milkshake Bar, D’Iberville: Gift card – Matt Gully
- RPM Pizza: Free Domino’s pizzas – Michael Ashworth
- William Carey University: Two tickets to 2020 season of Carey Dinner Theatre and autographed copies of “William Carey University:
- Celebrating 125 Years” book – Lisa M. Nichols
- Golden Nugget Biloxi: One-night stay and resort credit – Betty Marshall
- Harrah’s Gulf Coast, Biloxi: One-night stay, dinner for two and spa credit – Donna Brooks
- Kern Optical Lab, Gulfport: One pair of designer sunglasses (OP) – Cheryl Ashby
- Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum, Biloxi: Walk-on sail and print – George Schloegel
- The Rackhouse Steak & Spirits, Gulfport: Gift certificate – Martha Gasparinni
- Cajun’s Fabulous Fried Chicken, Gulfport: Buffet tickets – Lisa Hartung
- Jourdan River Steamer, Kiln: Gift certificate – Troy Peterson
- Oak Crest Mansion Inn, Pass Christian: One-night stay – Stephanie Mueller
- Finishline Performance Karting, Biloxi: Two t-shirts, two hats and two one-ride gift cards – Bobby Ladner
- Big Play Entertainment Center, Biloxi: Two one-hour bowling tickets, four admission tickets and two drink tickets – Matthew Haver
- Sicily’s Pizza, Gulfport: Buffet tickets – Michelle Wilson
- Nella Home Interiors & Gifts, Gulfport: White platter; Newk’s Eatery, Gulfport: Gift certificate – Lucien Gex
- Trustmark Bank: Swag bag – Dorothy Roberts
- The Pecan House, Gulfport: Gift certificate; Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Gulfport: Gift basket – Matthew Langlinais
- Grant’s for Her, Biloxi: Rebecca Minkoff handbag – Chuck Pfadonhaver
- Biloxi Shuckers: Swag bag and 2015 inaugural season baseball; The Blind Tiger Biloxi Beach: Gift certificate – Emily Burger
- Mississippi Power Company: Swag bag and golf ball set – Beverly Thigpen
- Salon Alexanders, Gulfport: Certificate for free haircut – Liz Joachim
- Hilton Garden Inn, Gulfport: One-night stay with breakfast for two – Clementine Fields
- Martin Miazza Gifts, Gulfport: Caskata artisanal plate – Joey Beattie
- Hotel Pass Christian, Pass Christian: Two-night stay – Wendy Boettner
- Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Biloxi: Two-night stay and dinner buffet for two – Ryan Merten
- Regions Bank: Custom beach cruiser bicycle – Stephanie Mueller
- Bayou Vista Golf Course, Gulfport: Four rounds of golf with cart – Gordy Myrick
- Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, Biloxi: Four tickets to Professional Cowboy Association rodeo – Elize White
- Southern Grounds Coffeehouse, Gulfport: Gift card – James McVaugh
- Walmart, Gulfport: Cooler and travel mugs – Evelyn Terry
- Mercedes-Benz of South Mississippi, D’Iberville: Cologne gift set – Richard Early
- Target Corporation, D’Iberville: Gift card – Aleshia Jones
- Gulf Islands Waterpark, Gulfport: Four admission tickets, zip line tickets, and gift items; Coastal Hardware & Rental Co., Kiln: Decorative
golden turtle and necklace set – Jonathan Jones - White Pillars Restaurant and Lounge, Biloxi: Gift certificate – Archie Baum
- Walmart, Gulfport: Grill – Ron Barnes
- Rouses, Gulfport: Italian gourmet gift basket – Joseph Gauci, Jr.
- Ladner Drugs, Biloxi: Christmas candle and earring set; Salute Italian and Seafood Restaurant, Gulfport: Gift certificate – Seth Towles
- Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar, Gulfport: Gift certificate – Patty Hammons
- Humane Society of South Mississippi, Gulfport: Gift certificate for one annual exam and gift basket – Arlene Canaan
- Dempsey’s Seafood & Steak, Kiln: Gift certificate; Nezaty’s Cafe, Gulfport: Gift card and bag of coffee – Tommy Castanedo
- The Almanett Hotel & Bistro, Gulfport: Gift certificate – Greg Fairey
- American Factory Direct Furniture, Long Beach: Artwork and gift card – Ashley French
- Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Biloxi: One-night stay and buffet credits – Chuck Bridley
- Lazy Magnolia Brewery, Kiln: Gift card – Randy Saboul
- Coast Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Gulfport: 52 12-packs of Coca-Cola (Coca-Cola for a Year) – Bert Pickard
- Half Shell Oyster House, Biloxi: Gift certificate – Mike Beverin
- Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Biloxi: Gift certificate – Joe Abston