The Kempenfelt Rotary Club’s inaugural car lottery is underway and hopes to raise much-needed money for some local charities.
Like many other organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic, the local club has had to find a way to continue to help charities in need.
Committee chair Michael Smiley says this lottery is the largest fundraiser in the club’s 22-year history and saw some challenges.
“Making sure we followed the guidelines set by the AGCO (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario) was a big task, but we’re fortunate to have a lot of smart people here in the club,” Smiley told BarrieToday. “It's our first online event like this and just like many others have had to, we had to find a way to adapt.”
The benefiting charities are the RVH Foundation’s Child and Youth Mental Health programs, the Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie, and Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka.
Tickets went on sale in March and the early bird prize of a 55-inch Android Smart TV was won in May.
But there is still a runner-up prize and the main prize is also available.
The runner-up winner will receive a Solar Cottage System (kit only) donated by Alternate Power International, valued at more than $2,300.
The main prize is a 2021 BMW 430i xDrive valued at more than $60,000.
The event website has all the terms and conditions in relation to the prizes up for grabs.
Smiley says that even if you win the runner-up prize, your name stays in and you could still win the vehicle.
The committee chair also says this upcoming weekend may be a good time for a ticket purchase.
“Father’s Day is Sunday, so if you’ve forgotten or don't know what to get then this is the prize for you,” Smiley says. “You can purchase a ticket and dad could end up winning some big prizes. If not, you’ve still helped some great charities.
“At this point, we’re well past our break-even point so all the money raised will be going directly to the charities,” he adds. “As per the rules of the AGCO, our Rotary Club won’t keep a cent.”
The grand-prize draw will occur at 2:15 p.m., Saturday, July 31.
To purchase tickets or for more information, head to the Rotary website by clicking here.
