There’s still time to get a ticket for a chance to win one of the year’s hottest gaming systems and popular Christmas gift — a Nintendo Wii.

Members of Union County Aide and Relief Effort — or UCARE — are selling raffle tickets as part of the Union County employee organization’s 12 Days of Christmas fundraiser. Each ticket costs $1 or six for $5 and gives the purchaser a shot to win one of 12 Wiis that will be raffled off on WBCU radio beginning Dec. 12 and running through Dec. 23.

“We need to sell every ticket we’ve got,” said the organization’s past-president Ronnie Wade. “Anything we can raise goes back to the kids for Christmas.”

UCARE does various fundraisers throughout the year to collect funds to purchase toys for Union County children ages 12 and under who are in need. This year they are partnering with WBCU and will receive the radio station’s Truck Load of Toys to add to its items that will be given to children.

UCARE members plan to purchase toys and gifts for about 80 children in need this year.

The Wiis will be raffled each morning — including Saturdays and Sundays — as part of the 12 Days of Christmas event. Winners will be announced on WBCU about 9 a.m. each morning and contacted by UCARE members to pick up their prize. They also will be featured in The Union Daily Times and posted on the WBCU and Times Web sites.

There only are about 5,000 tickets available and according to Wade with 12 drawings there’s a 1-in-17 chance of winning one of the game systems.

“That’s a lot better of a chance than the lottery,” Wade said.

Any Union County employee and/or UCARE member can be contacted to purchase raffle tickets. Also, look for signs about the raffle at local businesses, agencies or organizations — tickets also can be purchased there.

They’re selling fast so don’t waste time getting yours. Wade and the UCARE group would like to sell as many as possible before the raffles begin but also will have them for sale during the 12 Days of Christmas and tickets will be placed in the drawings on a daily basis.

“It’d be nice to sell them all before we start the raffle,” Wade said.

UCARE members met Tuesday afternoon and also discussed two other fundraisers the organization currently is holding.

A silent auction with Disney and other items — including a collectible doll from Ralph Petty — is ongoing at the Union County Courthouse in downtown Union. Anyone interested in bidding on one or more of the items available simply needs to stop in and write it down.

UCARE also will hold a flag football tournament on Saturday, Dec. 5, at Union County Stadium in Union. Teams can be up to eight players with a minimum of five and the cost to participate is $80 per team. Paul Wilkes told his fellow UCARE members Tuesday players need to be 18 years old or older to participate.

Registration for the tournament begins at 9 a.m. with action starting at 10 a.m.

Again, proceeds from all of these events go toward helping children in need for the holidays.

“It’ll be fun and a chance to make some money for UCARE,” Wilkes said about the flag football event.

Watch The Daily Times early next week for more information on the tournament.