San Diego Dream House Raffle Names Grand Prize Winners

San Diego County CA— Pomela Flanigan of San Diego is this year’s grand prizewinner in the 13th annual Dream House Raffle, which has raised more than $3 million for Ronald McDonald House Charities® of San Diego to provide lodging, meals and emotional support for families who have children in a local hospital.
Carol Nielsen of Oceanside, California, was the second grand prizewinner and won her choice of a 2017 Mercedes-Benz S550 Cabriolet, a trip around the world on a private jet or $125,000 cash. Oceanside residents did well in this years raffle. Michele Hamilton got the third prize, a vacation to Italy (7 days/6 nights) or $15,000 cash and Russell Geschrey received the 9th place prize, a Caribbean Cruise (5 nights) or $5,000 cash. Another Oceanside resident, Stacey Swall was selected in April to win the Australian vacation or cash option of $15,000 in the early bird drawing. [link]
“Not only did we award 1,700 prizes to ticket holders, we were also able to raise more than $3 million that will allow us to serve families who rely on us while their child is receiving medical treatment,” said Chuck Day, president and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego. “We are so grateful to the community for their support of our mission by participating in this year’s raffle.”
As the grand prizewinner, Flanigan receives her choice between $1.3 million paid as an annuity over 20 years or $900,000 as a one-time cash payment.
Additionally, Katie Mersch of San Diego was the winner of the multi-ticket drawing and received a 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio or her choice of $50,000 cash.
While the raffle successfully raised much-needed support for the local nonprofit organization, there were not enough tickets sold to make the grand prize home available as a prize option. For a full list of prizes, winners and raffle rules, visit sdraffle.com.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego

Founded in 1980, Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego provides a “home away from home,” which keeps families close to one another and the care they need while their child is being treated for serious, often life-threatening conditions at local hospitals. San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House was specifically designed to provide the necessities of home – including 47 bedrooms, a kitchen and a children’s play area – to help strengthen families and bolster their psychological well-being during difficult times regardless of their situation or ability to pay. The Ronald McDonald House creates an emotional and physical sanctuary for nearly 15,000 family members each year. To learn more, visit rmhcsd.org.