ELF Project hopes watch party helps cross fundraising goal line

Thursday night, dozens gathered at Gateway Transitional Care in Pocatello to watch the Los Angeles Chargers take on the Oakland Raiders. But they were there for more than just football.

The watch party served as the main fundraiser in the ELF Project’s effort to send die-hard Raiders fan Charles Buck to Oakland.

With food, raffle prizes and even a few Raiders in attendance (little league ones), the night hopes to have taken the group across its fundraising goal line.

“We did a quick count up, we had about $1,500 in cash,” ELF Project board member Dominee Hall said.

“We’ve had some pretty big donations. The [Pocatello] Raiders team actually raised or brought us $700. So, you know what? I’m pretty hopeful that we got pretty darn close to our goal if not hit our goal.”

Hall said the group will do whatever it takes to send Charles to Oakland for the game on Nov. 17.

As of 9:20 p.m., $3,317 had been collected on Thursday evening.