April Showers Bring May Flowers & Spring Ka-Ching to Welland Woman!
(May 2, 2022 - PORT COLBORNE) Having grown up in Port Colborne and now retired and living in Welland, Suzette Lemay was absolutely ecstatic to learn Friday that she won the $27,795 jack-pot from the sixth Port Cares 50/50 draw.
“I really appreciate the work that Port Cares does,” said Suzette. “I know people who Port Cares has helped get through some really difficult times. I make sure to buy my tickets for the draw to help Port Cares do the important work they do but never ever did I expect to win,” says jackpot winner Suzette Lemay. “My friends and family keep asking me to be their lucky charm for the next draw.”
This is the sixth round for Port Cares’ online 50 50draws. The biggest winner so far out of the six draws took home $42,660 last June with the last winning jackpot of $37,505 on New Years Day,
“Since the pandemic hit, the past two years has been a roller-coaster ride for the agency. We’ve experienced a number of highs and lows. Right now we are immersed in addressing the increasing need for our charity services while figuring out impactful new ways to raise the money we require to help people in need. Today we are helping more families and seniors than ever before,” says Christine Clark Lafleur, Executive Director of Port Cares. “With everyone is feeling the pinch of inflation and the increased cost for food and other household expenses, we are truly grateful for the public support behind our 50 50 draws.”
Funds raised from the draw go directly towards the food bank and meal program that operate out of their Reach Out Centre. Funds that are crucial, now more than ever, as Port Cares has seen an increase of 34 percent in people needing food bank support since the pandemic began and the numbers for their meal program have doubled. No government funding is received for the Reach Out Centre.
The draw has become a core revenue source replacing the agency’s traditional in-person fundraising events, which were cancelled due to the pandemic. “We will launch our next draw on Canada Day Friday, July 1st with the winning ticket to be drawn on the Civic Holiday Monday, August 1st.
Winners Re-Cap:
September 2020 – Michael Mamo of Port Colborne: $19,830
January 2021 – Marion Minor of Port Colborne: $27,465
June 2021 – Tami Reimer of Welland: $42,660
Sept 2021 – Bruce Wilson of Port Colborne: $34,155
January 2022 – Kathy Pitkin of Port Colborne: $37,505
May 2022 - Suzette Lemay of Welland: $27,795
The NEXT draw is set to launch on July 1st .
Port Cares would like to thank their generous media sponsors: Giant FM, Country 89 FM, YourTV Niagara and Niagara This Week. As well, the Caring Supporters at the Port Colborne Downtown BIA, Welland Downtown BIA, Boggio Pharmacy, Super Mario’s Pizza, Lisa St. Amand, Winn’s Plumbing & Heating, Port Colborne Sobey’s, Steele & Clover, Melina’s Family Restaurant, Food Basics Port Colborne.
