“Where else could you spend $25 and have 46 changes to win back your money — and more? And it’s going for a good cause. You’re supporting education.”

That was the way parent volunteer Teresa Carte described the annual sweepstakes, conducted by and for the Ironton Catholic Schools. Each year students, their families and others sell $25 tickets. Each month from September through May, winning tickets are drawn for $500, $300, $150, $100 and $50. In December, there is also a drawing for $1,000, St. Joseph High School Secretary Chris Monte said. While the lucky people with winning tickets may take home some extra cash, school officials say the real winners are the students whose education is funded in part by those in the community who purchase the sweepstakes tickets.

“This money goes into our general fund and it’s used for a lot of things. This helps us keep our tuition low Otherwise our tuition would be dramatically increased,” Monte said.

Sweepstakes tickets are available from any student and at the schools. This is the 13th year for the sweepstakes.