A 67-year-old Elmhurst funeral director is the winner of a $25,000 scholarship raffle and will split the money among his grandchildren for their college education.
Arthur Ahlgrim, whose winning ticket also included the name of his wife, Arlene, called “unbelievable” a Wednesday evening telephone message informing him of the prize. “We have never won anything,” he said.
The raffle was sponsored by the District 205 Foundation for Educational Excellence as a fundraiser to help it attract money awarded for grants in Elmhurst schools.
Ahlgrim was at a Lions Club meeting when he heard Jennie Stolper, a foundation representative, ask members to buy the $25 tickets. “I expected it to be a contribution to the foundation,” he said.
The father of one adult daughter and two adult sons, Ahlgrim said he would divide the funds equally among his grandchildren. Currently, there are four: Allison Ahlgrim 8; Nathan Ahlgrim 4; David Stoddard, 9; and Mark Stoddard, 6.
The scholarship raffle is the latest fundraiser that has produced $235,000 in grants to Elmhurst schools.