BLACKFOOT — In the years that she has handled community relations duties for the Tadd Jenkins Auto Group in Blackfoot, Cindy Reese has had a pretty steady budget, but this year, ownership upped the ante.

It was Telaine Jenkins Packer, one of the company’s owners, who came to Reese with the news.

“She said it’s probably time to do more,” Reese said. “She said we are going to donate a vehicle, you can do a raffle or whatever you want to do.”

That vehicle is a 2026 Jeep Compass, which sells for roughly $30,000, and a raffle is just what they are doing. Tickets will be sold for $10 each, and the drawing is scheduled for Sept. 19 during an event hosted by Tadd Jenkins Auto Group.

Reese is currently the Internet lead manager and handles community relations for Tadd Jenkins Auto Group. She is also a past president and a current board member of the Greater Blackfoot Area Chamber of Commerce. She said the dealership can’t donate the entire value of the Compass and that the first $15,000 in ticket sales will cover the portion of the vehicle they can’t donate.

“Everything we raise after the first $15,000 will be split between the Chamber and The Village,” Reese said.

The Village is a Blackfoot-based non-profit organization that exists to serve the needs of children who are in foster care throughout 16 Southeast Idaho counties. Jackque Burt, director of The Village, said the group works to provide the necessities but also tries to furnish some of the wants, such as books and crafts.

Burt said the group sees between 100 and 125 children each month, many of whom have left their homes with little or nothing. She was excited that The Village was included in the fundraiser.

“They appreciate the work we are doing and wanted to help,” Burt said. “I am very grateful.”

Reese said not many know about The Village outside of those who have needed their services.

“Once you find out about them, you know you need to support it,” Reese said. “They are a hidden gem in our community.”

Jamie Popejoy, executive director of the Greater Blackfoot Area Chamber of Commerce, said the non-profit depends on membership dues, sponsorships and funds raised through events and other opportunities to cover its operating costs.

“To have something like this fundraiser is huge,” Popejoy said.

Helping to make the Compass easily recognized as it makes its way to different events is a bright white wrap with logos of some of the sponsors who have pitched in. There is also a QR code, which will take anyone with a smartphone straight to the Chamber’s website, where they can buy a ticket. Reese said the vehicle will be present at all Chamber events and at each monthly America250 event, and tickets for the raffle can be purchased at those events.

Reese said she was amazed at how some of the sponsorships for the raffle unfolded. First, there was Get Found First, a local digital marketing agency.

“I knew I couldn’t get the word out by myself,” Reese said. “Get Found First is going to handle the marketing.”

Bingham Healthcare has come on board, also to help with marketing the fundraiser. Then there is that wrap, which made a red Compass look like it’s a white one.

“NuVision (Auto Glass & Tint) donated the wrap,” Reese said.

And if that wasn’t enough, Blackfoot-based Spudnik Equipment Company donated $1,000 to the effort as well.

Reese got the Compass back from NuVision on Thursday, just in time for its first appearance at Friday’s America250 event, the World War II Big Band Dance hosted at the Blackfoot Elks Lodge. For those looking to see the car, it will be on display at Chamber and America250 events through August. When not at events, it can be seen at Tadd Jenkins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram at 1090 Ford Way in Blackfoot.

Tickets can be purchased for $10 each in person at any of the events, at Tadd Jenkins Auto Group locations, at the Greater Blackfoot Area Chamber of Commerce and online at the chamber’s website, blackfootchamber.org.