Could such a fundraiser succeed when more and more large-scale lotteries are being held all over the province and funds were stretched a little thin due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
As it turns out the answer is most definitely ‘yes.’
More than $100,000 in tickets sold on top of a 50-50 draw that brought in over $20,000, with all proceeds going to help the provincial service organization with their many requests for assistance on an annual basis.
“It was our first year doing this kind of lottery, and it turned out well,” said lottery chairman and longtime Moose Jaw Elks member Harold Claffey. “Up until this year, we were doing a ‘two-dollars-each, three-for-five’ lottery at malls and shopping centres and stores, where this year we went with more of an online thing, which was a good thing with how the pandemic turned out.
“It looks like we’re going to make a nice profit which is great for the first time.”
The Elks are also involved in children’s hearing, having recently played a major role in developing a newborn hearing screening program throughout the province. They’re also the primary sponsor for the Saskatchewan Pediatric Auditory Rehabilitation Centre in Saskatoon, one of the cutting-edge facilities in the world for the development of hearing aids like cochlear implants.
“We’re Elks because we can help children like that,” Claffey said. “A child that can’t hear can’t hear birds or wind noises or revolving doors in stores, anything. So that’s where we try and help with our five hearing centres across Canada supported by the Elks. We’re community people helping community people.”
Winning the grand prize of $50,000 cash, $1,000 a week for a year or a new Dodge or Ford 4x4 truck are Derris and Judy White of Moose Jaw.
Five second prizes of $2,000 or a one-week all inclusive trip for two to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic were won by Perry Leipert of Kindersley, James Geres of Moose Jaw, Vivian Barber of Moose Jaw, Mych Soron of Swift Current, and Eleanor Mack of Estevan.
Three third prizes featuring $1,500 or a five-day bus trip for two to two Blue Jays games and two shopping stops were won by Jeff and Allison Slabik of Gull Lake, Bev Murtagh of Moose Jaw, and Ron Duscherer of Prelate.
Three fourth prizes of $1,000 or a fishing excursion to Jan Lake featuring four days cabin rental with the use of a boat and motor included were won by Jackie Beaulieu of Estevan, Sandy Krauchek of Hodgeville, and Arthur Young of Canwood.
The $50 Lottery Early Bird draw was held on May 14 and featured $5,000 or a two-week all-inclusive trip for two to the Mayan Riviera. The winner was Andrea Guillaume of Moose Jaw.
The 50-50 draw featured a total of $45,460 in sales, with the winner’s share of $22,730 won by Drew Kenke of Tisdale.
You can watch video of the draw by clicking right here.
