The Collins Senior Citizens Center received a surprise donation from a new Collins business recently.

What started out as a Christmas season raffle for employees at Brennan’s Vendworks ended up $850 to be used for a local charity.

“They wanted their money to go to something,” City Clerk Suzette Davis said.  “This is a brand new business located in the industrial park.”

According to Stephanie Sutton, the company matched donations from employees.

“The way we came about raising the donation was through our employees and the Brennans matching the donation,” Sutton said.  “We had a raffle and the employees participated by buying raffle tickets.  Brennan’s Vendworks matched dollar for dollar what we had raised.”

Davis said she knows exactly where the money can be used.  First, the exercise instructor recently retired, and that instructor owned the equipment needed.  Davis said she will purchase a projector to fill that void with part of the money.  Second, she said she plans to frame some of the puzzles completed by guests.  The other framed posters hanging throughout the building are quite popular with the crowd, Davis said.

“This will mean so much to the senior,” Davis said.  “I was not prepared for $850 to be donated.”

Sutton said she was very pleased with the result.

“It was a huge success!  We are so excited to be bale to contribute for the Senior Center!,” Sutton said.