RVWA Raises $93,000 With ‘Drab To Fab’ Trailer Rehab Raffle

As part of its “Drab To Fab” project, the RV Women’s Alliance (RVWA) debuted its completely rehabbed 2007 CrossRoads RV Zinger at the RVMH Hall of Fame on June 23, at the same time kicking off its raffle of the project trailer to raise funds for the organization’s various programs.

That raffle culminated last Friday (Sept. 17) at the RV Technical Institute when the winners, Joann and Bob Welker of Fernandina Beach, Fla., took delivery of the grand prize trailer, which had been completely renovated by 88 female members of the RVWA and sponsored by 45 RV industry suppliers and OEMs,

Proceeds of the raffle generated over $130,000, with a net profit of $93,000 after programming, administrative and volunteer support for the build, RVWA President Susan Carpenter of B&B Molders told RVBusiness shortly after she and the organization’s Special Projects Chair, Tracy Anglemeyer of Furrion, handed the keys over to the winners of the feature-packed, 30-foot trailer.

“These funds will really give us an opportunity for some great educational and inspirational programs for women in the RV Industry,” said Carpenter. “Along with our partners and their generous donations.”

“It really allows us to give back to women in the RV industry,” added Anglemeyer.

Joann Welker, spoke excitedly as her husband, Bob, hooked up the new trailer – named the Chrysalis by the RVWA – to his truck outside. The Welkers, parents to two daughters who are both entrepreneurial business women themselves, had an interesting twist on how they won the raffle.

“We were at the RV Hall of Fame taking the two grandchildren through,” she said, “and then at the very end, we came to the Drab to Fab trailer and both of the grandchildren were thoroughly enamored. They thought that this was such a great concept and loved it so much they wanted their pictures taken in it. And then my grandsons asked me to please buy a ticket, and I did not at the time. I didn’t know if our odds were very good. But I thought it was a great trailer.”

[...]

It’s of note that the RVWA now has over 1,200 members according to Anglemyer.

“It was just three years ago, we only had 25,” she stated. “Recruitment has been a priority. Jeanette Lewis from NTP-Stag is amazing. She chairs that committee and she’s grown it, and it’s grown organically, too – friends of friends.”

Because the build was at the RV Technical Institute (RVTI) the project became part of a training initiative.

“The RVTI was not open to in-person classes at the time,” said Anglemeyer. “So they had bays open. We brought all of our own tools. They let us use their air compressor. They had techs on site if we had a question who helped with the build.”

[...]

Check out the full article on RVBusiness here.