If previous Johnston Senior Center meat raffles offer any guide, the fifth annual edition could produce record crowds and proceeds at the nationally accredited facility located at 1291 Hartford Ave.

“It seems as though people have been making this an annual affair,” said Millie Santilli, the center’s assistant director, who co-founded the event with ladies like Cynthia Galipeau and Louisa Iannotti. “Many people who came last year and won have passed the information on have told us it’s a good bang for the buck.”

Tickets are only $20 per person and the odds are very good for winning, as there will be a total of 40 prizes in the form of meat packages or turkeys on Sunday, Nov. 13.

“Our [ticket sales] have been unbelievable in recent years,” Santilli said. “People really like the fact that when one ticket is drawn, it goes back into the bucket.”

Santilli announced that this year’s meat raffle – which will include free refreshments that are always a hit with event-goers – will actually feature 40-plus raffles. There will be 20 drawings for five-pound meat packages and another 20 drawings for turkeys.

Perhaps the most unique thing about he Nov. 13 meat raffle – which will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. inside the center’s spacious multi-purpose room – is that a person can purchase a ticket or tickets and does not have to be present to win.

Moreover, the center’s highly skilled Quilt Club – which donated several colorful and unique creations for last year’s raffle – will hold a similar drawing this year. Santilli said turkey certificates will be included in the Nov. 13 raffle.

She also announced that 20 five-pound meat packages will again come from Dave’s Marketplace in Smithfield, and that this year’s 20 turkeys have been donated by Shannon Russell.

Tickets will be on sale at the door on Sunday, Nov. 13, but Santilli said people who want to make sure they have a ticket or more should come to the center Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. if they’d like to purchase them in advance. For more information or to purchase or reserve tickets for the raffle, please call Joanne or Cathie at 401-944-3343.

OPEN ENROLLMENT

Santilli also issued a reminder that the Medicare open enrollment period, which began on Oct. 15, will continue through Dec. 7. During this time, people can make changes to their health insurance coverage, including adding, dropping, or changing how you receive your Medicare benefits.

“Even if you are happy with your current health and drug coverage, Medicare’s open enrollment period is the time to review your current coverage,” Santilli said. “Compare it with other available options and weigh whether it will remain the best choice for you in the coming year.”

She announced that the center will host two open enrollment events on Friday, Nov. 11, and Friday, Dec. 2, and urged people to call the center to make an appointment.