Local girl holds raffle, proceeds to St. Jude's

Mackena Swilley holds the rifle to be given away to the winner, Jordan Bidewell, along with the check for almost $2500 to be donated to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis.

Mackena Swilley, a 3rd grade student at Portageville Elementary, raffled off a Reuger Rifle on Friday, with all proceeds going to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis.

Mackena told her father, Jeff Swilley, that she wanted to hold a raffle and donate the money to St. Jude's for Christmas. Although there wasn't enough time before the holidays to do so, she still wanted to raise money for the hospital.

By selling raffle tickets, and Jeff donating the rifle to be given away, Mackena was able to raise $2440 to give to St. Jude's.

Mark Stockton, with the Portageville Police Department, was on hand to draw the lucky winner's ticket Friday, January 9.

The raffle drawing was held Friday, January 9 at the Portageville Police Department with Mark Stockton drawing the name of the winner.

Jordan Bidewell's name was drawn to win a Reuger 10-.22 Mossy Oak Camo Rifle.

Mackena and her family went to St. Jude's on Saturday, January 10 to deliver the donation and tour the facility.

Mackena wanted to meet some of the kids at St. Judes, but hospital policy prohibits anyone under the age of 16 to visit patients, unless they are a family member.

Mackena made sure to get a family picture with her father, Jeff Swilleyn and Morgan Lechenette.

On that note, Mackena plans to do a fundraiser every year and visit patients at St. Judes when she turns 16.