The successful campaign earlier this year yielded $17,700 and a TV commercial featuring the Swans, with the club topping the board nationally for money raised.
Now South is back at it as the cricketing fundraiser kicks off again.
“Without it, we would have struggled big time,” Smith said.
“It’s not rocket science. We had a bad year last year with COVID, not making any money.
“A lot of work went into it. There’s about 300 contacts in my phone and every one of them got a phone call.
“We only make money through our social events and sponsors.
“It’s going to be the only way we’ll be able to raise money. We might get to have one or two social events this year, but it will all depend on clubrooms and numbers.”
Its successful partnership with Echuca Toyota for the previous iteration has been expanded further, with the local dealership continuing its support of Echuca South into the 2021-22 season, including full sponsorship of the club.
“It’s a no-brainer. When we did the raffle last year, I said to Deb (Smith), ‘do we get them involved?’” Smith said.
“Why should we not be affiliated with Toyota when it’s a Toyota raffle?
“It’s been a really good relationship with John and Emma (Merritt).”
Echuca Toyota principal dealer John Merritt said he was pleased to continue the partnership between the club and the business.
“It’s fantastic to be involved and assist Echuca South Cricket Club with the Good for Cricket raffle again this year,” Merritt said.
“In their first year of being a part of the raffle, Gary, Deb and everyone at the club did a phenomenal job with raffle sales.
“We are a big supporter of local sports and grassroots sports is something that really brings people together and gets families involved in sporting clubs.”
The club smashed its $5000 goal last time around, but Smith is unsure if this year’s raffle will reach those dizzying heights again.
“I don’t know if we’ll do the same as we did last time — that was pretty freaky,” he said.
“It was incredible how it just kept going and going.
“Toyota were really good, they put it on their social media page and we noticed a spike in ticket sales.
“We’re going to start promoting it ourselves, so that means we can start getting funds put in.”
Tickets to the Good for Cricket raffle are available for $5, with a first-prize offer of a Toyota Kluger.
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