48HRS Left to WIN our Holiday 50/50 Draw!
Someone will be starting the New Year smiling, with over $27,500 in cash from Port Cares’ fifth online 50/50 draw. One lucky winner will be pulled at 2pm on New Year’s Day.
It’s actually going to be the thirteenth winner for this holiday draw. Early bird draws ran every day from December 12 – 23 for the 12 Days of Giveaways. Each prize was worth $100 or more and were donated by local retailers like Pet Valu, Food Basics, Napa Auto, Canadian Tire and more. All 13 winners were from Niagara and Chris Coulis won twice; a first for the agency’s raffles.
The biggest draw winner so far took home almost $43,000. A total of over $124,000 has been won in Port Cares’ draws which began in the summer of 2020. Three of the winners were from Port Colborne and one from Welland, even though anyone in Ontario 18+ can purchase tickets.
Winners from all early bird prizes are still eligible to win half the pot on New Year’s Day.
“Our online 50/50 draws have been our life-line through the pandemic. Every penny raised through this fundraiser has been used to keep our charity services like the food bank helping more people than ever before,” says Christine Clark Lafleur, executive director at Port Cares. “We’re really hoping to get over the $30,000 mark for this draw, as funding is crucial during the cold months for us.”
HOW TO GET TICKETS:
Purchase online anytime at www.portcares5050.ca. Tickets are five for $10, 20 for $20 or 100 for $40.
December 30th: purchase at Port Cares until 4:30pm at 92 Charlotte Street.
HOW TO FIND OUT IF YOU WON:
One winner will be picked at 2:01pm. They will be phoned directly, and the name and ticket number will also be posted to the Port Cares Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts within a half hour.
Since the on-set of the pandemic, Port Cares has had a 35 percent increase in people accessing their services. They’re helping more people than ever before, with less opportunities for fundraising and altered services.
This holiday season Port Cares provided a Christmas dinner and gift for over 150 people.
The Give a Gift program provided low-income parents and caregivers toys, clothing, warm boots and books as Christmas gifts for over 500 children.
Port Cares also facilitated Christmas gifts given by anonymous donors, for over 150 children and adults facing extreme poverty and difficult circumstances.
Losing the proceeds of major fundraising events like the annual auction gala has left a shortfall of $150,000 – funds depended on to operate the agency’s charitable services like the foodbank which does not receive any form of government funding.
Many thanks to the follow local businesses who donated prizes for our draw: Boggio’s Pharmacy, No Frills, Sobey’s, Food Basics, Green Apple Coffee House, Grant’s Gifts & Picket Fence, Pet Valu, Harvey’s / Swiss Chalet, Ben Berg, Canadian Tire, Sewell’s Automotive Supply and PartSource.
Since 1986, Port Cares has offered a multitude of services for people, young and old, not only in Port Colborne, but also across Niagara including Lincoln, West Lincoln, Welland, Pelham and Fort Erie. They offer housing, employment training, a foodbank, Niagara Youth Justice services, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, a meal program, utility assistance, counselling and crisis services- as well as seasonal programs like Coats for Kids, Give a Gift and more. Their services are wide-ranging - the need is undeniable.
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