Philips Building Supply in Picayune is raffling off a hand-built gazebo as part of an initiative to raise $2,500 to donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The raffle will be held May 1.

Tickets are priced at 3 for $10 and can be purchased at Phillips Building Supply until April 30.

Phillips Building Supply of Picayune Manager Jerry Matthews  said the gazebo was built late last year at about the time of the Christmas Parade by Picayune residents Aubry Kellar and Travis Bond.

Originally, the gazebo was built as part of the store’s float for the parade.

Matthews said last year’s theme was Mississippi Bicentennial and they had decorated the float and gazebo in everything red, white and blue. At the time of the parade, staff advertised the fundraiser on the float.

Matthews said after the parade was over, he and other Philips Building Supply staff thought raffling the gazebo off to raise funds for the hospital would be better than selling it.

In addition to the gazebo, the winner of the raffle will also receive a 5 ft. cypress porch swing. 

Matthews said that during last year’s fundraiser, the store collected $2,500. This year the aim is to raise even more money for the hospital.