PEORIA, Ill. -- The deadline (Dec. 23) to purchase tickets before the Early Bird drawing for the annual Braves Club Raffle, presented by South Side Trust and Savings Bank, is quickly approaching.  In addition, a limited number of tickets for the next Braves Club Game Day Luncheon, presented by Busey Bank, which will be held Jan. 6 are still available. 

One of the largest fundraisers of the year for the Bradley Athletics booster organization, the Braves Club Raffle awards $40,500 among 12 ticket buyers (maximum 1,000 tickets), including two prizes totaling $3,000 during the Early Bird drawing Dec. 23 at halftime of the Bradley men's basketball team's non-conference finale against TCU.

The Early Bird drawing first prize is $2,000 and the second prize is $1,000. Both winning tickets will be re-entered into the final drawing for the $25,000 grand prize, which will be drawn with nine additional winners during halftime of the Feb. 23 Bradley men's basketball regular-season finale at Carver Arena.  The last opportunity to purchase tickets before the Early Bird Drawing will be at the Dec. 23 Pre-Game Party presented by Busey Bank, which will be held in the Peoria Civic Center Ballroom. 

Braves Club Raffle tickets are $100 each and may be purchased from any Braves Club Board member, at any of the selling locations at Carver Arena before Bradley games or by contacting the Braves Club Office (309-677-2667) at Renaissance Coliseum during regular business hours.

The next Braves Club Game Day Luncheon is slated for Jan. 6 and will feature Bradley Men's Basketball Head Coach Brian Wardle along with Southern Illinois head coach Barry Hinson.  Tickets still remain for the luncheon will be held on Mitchell “J.J.” Anderson Court in the Renaissance Coliseum Basketball Performance Center.  Doors will open at 11:15 a.m. with the speaking programs, emceed by Voice of the Braves Dave Snell, starting at noon. Advance reservations are required, $20 for Braves Club members and $25 for the general public, and may be made by contacting the Braves Club Office at (309) 677-2667.

For more information, visit the Braves Club website at www.bradleybravesclub.com.