The Bega District Woodcraft Association helped launch the raffle on Friday, November 12, donating the box they had painstakingly crafted over "many, many hours".

A lot of the timber used was itself donated by Phil Boyd of Collinswood, Candelo.

Paul Healey of the Woodies said Mr Boyd had handed over the Mexican pine, but rather than asking for money, requested the club craft something for Can Assist to use for fundraising.

Richard Kleine said he had made a box years ago and took the idea to his colleagues at the Woodies - although the consensus seemed to be that this raffle prize will be a one-off.

"We're burning the plans," they joked on Friday about the effort involved in making the pine and redgum box.

Can Assist is selling its raffle tickets for $2 each, or three for $5. Look for the table in Carp St.

First prize is the blanket box. Second prize is a dinner for two at Club Bega and a Christmas ham, while third prize is a DeLonghi coffee machine.

The raffle will be drawn on December 19 at the Tarraganda community Christmas carols.

Meanwhile, the Bega Woodies are keen for new members so they can pass on their wealth of knowledge about working with wood (although maybe not of blanket boxes!)

The group meets regularly for woodturning and group projects at their workshop behind the Tarraganda community hall.

For information, call club secretary Richard Kleine on 6492 6116.