The students at St. Theodore Catholic School in Albert Lea will sell raffle tickets through Feb. 26 in an effort to raise funds for their school.

According to a press release, St. Theodore, and the other 81 participating schools, will keep 100 percent of every $5 ticket sold thanks to raffle sponsor Catholic United Financial. The St. Paul-based company covers the entire cost of the raffle including prizes, ticket printing and promotional materials.

“If you want to support your Catholic school, this is a great way to do it,” Catholic United President Harald Borrmann said. “Every $5 ticket buys you a chance to win a car, a vacation, or some other really great prizes. Supporting your Catholic school is really supporting your entire community.”

More than 13,400 students from 82 participating schools in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota will sell tickets through Feb. 26, prior to the official drawing at 11 a.m. March 9 at Catholic United Financial’s Home Office in St. Paul.

In the raffle’s seven-year existence, it has helped Catholic schools in the Upper Midwest to raise more than $5 million.

Money raised through this fundraiser has allowed schools like St. Theodore to provide tuition assistance, improve technology and pay for special learning opportunities, such as field trips and special guest speakers, according to a press release.

Along with the $7,500 in ticket sale revenue it hopes to receive from the raffle, St. Theodore has a shot at winning a $3,000 grant from Catholic United if it is one of the top-three performing schools based on the number of tickets sold per student. The company also awards the top-selling student at each school a Kindle Fire HD 8 and a pizza party to each top classroom.