The Catholic Schools Raffle returns this winter to St. Theodore  in Albert Lea, giving people the opportunity to turn $5 into a brand new car or $20,000 in cash while supporting their local Catholic school, according to a press release.

Students from St. Theodore  will join students from 89 other schools across Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota in selling the $5 tickets. Each ticket purchased gives ticket buyers the opportunity to win a 2020 Buick Encore (or $20,000 in cash), or other prizes totaling $40,000 in value. Proceeds stay at St. Theodore  thanks to the raffle’s sole sponsor, Catholic United Financial, the release stated. The St. Paul-based company provides all prizes and promotion materials for the raffle at no cost to the participating schools.

“Catholic United’s mission since our founding 142 years ago has included supporting Catholic education, and we couldn’t be happier or prouder to support our schools with the Catholic Schools Raffle,” said Catholic United President Harald Borrmann. “Since the program started, we have invested nearly one million dollars in the Raffle because we understand how this unique fundraiser greatly benefits the students and their teachers.”

Now in its 11th year, the Catholic Schools Raffle has raised over $8.5 million for Catholic schools in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. This year, Catholic United is challenging the 89 participating schools to collectively raise $1 million during the six-week selling period. To help reach this goal, St. Theodore  hopes to sell enough tickets to raise $20,000. The money raised allows schools like St. Theodore  to provide tuition assistance, update technology systems or to cover the cost of special learning opportunities like guest speakers and field trips, according to the release.

Ticket sales begin Jan. 17 and run through March 1. Tickets are only available at participating schools. The grand prize drawing ceremony takes place at 11 a.m. March 12 at the Catholic United Financial home office in St. Paul. Raffle updates can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CatholicSchoolsRaffle.