RELEASE: Get 'Yer Tix at the Ship-Show This Weekend!
Port Cares hopes to sell a ship-load of 50/50 tickets at their booth at Canal Days this weekend, with the draw deadline being Monday, August 1 at 2pm.
The take-home prize is over $16,420 which will make someone in Ontario do a happy dance.
This is the seventh draw for the charity in Port Colborne, with all winners being from Port or Welland so far and taking home $190,000. The draw is open to anyone in Ontario over the age of 18.
A touching story emerged for this draw’s early bird winner on July 15. John Hudak of Port Colborne shared a story with staff when he came to claim his summer bounty prize.
Hudak got laid off 30 years ago, right before Christmas and his mother ended up registering him and his family for the Give-A-Gift program.
The agency not only showed up with a van full of gifts for the whole family, but ended up going halves with Boggio Pharmacy to pay for a breathing machine his daughter needed for sleeping.
Needless to say, the generosity left a lasting impression on Hudak and he paid it forward ten years later, sponsoring a family at Christmas with over $900 to go towards gifts.
“It’s stories like John’s…that’s what it’s all about,” says executive director, Christine Clark Lafleur.
“We’re helping more people than ever before and we know how big of an impact even the smallest amount of help makes. We love hearing the stories.
“The community has been so supportive in our online 50/50 draws and we wouldn’t be here without the help,” explains Clark Lafleur. “We are excited to see what the response will be like at Canal Days, but we anticipate it being a huge success.”
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 35 percent in people needing food bank support since the pandemic began and the numbers for their meal program have doubled.
Port Cares’ food bank needs help now, more than ever, and those interested in further supporting are encouraged to consider a direct online donation. More details can be found www.portcares.ca and click “donate” at the top of the page.
If you’ve seen Port Cares’ social media lately, you’ll be familiar with the ‘Captain’ running around to promote the draw. That’s Amanda Upper, manager of the Reach Out Centre and she’ll be donning the naval captain uniform at Canal Days all weekend, along with a pirate outfit to go with the Summer Bounty theme.
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
HOW TO GET TICKETS:
Online anytime at www.portcares5050.ca. Head to the office at 92 Charlotte Street, Monday to Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm to pay with cash or card, or stop by their booth at Canal Days. Find them on West St. between Charlotte and Clarence; Friday 12-11pm, Saturday 10am-11pm, Sunday 10am-11pm and Monday 10am-2pm.
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, Super Mario’s Pizza, Boggio’s Family of Pharmacies, Sobeys Port Colborne, Lemayzzz Meats, Archie’s Subs, Don Cherry’s Port Colborne, Melina’s Family Restaurant, Niagara National Golf & Country Club, Port Colborne McDonald’s, Splashtown Niagara, Safari Niagara, Grants Gifts & the Picket Fence and the Lighthouse Festival at Roselawn Theatre.
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