RELEASE: Winner Picks up Second-Highest 50/50 Prize
A Welland woman has won the second-highest jackpot prize from Port Cares’ seventh 50/50 draw. Rebecca Clark picked up a cheque for $38,805 from the agency, who sold a ship-load of tickets down at Canal Days Festival over the long weekend.
“The prize was $20,000 when we started selling at Canal Days at noon on Friday,” says Christine Clark Lafleur, executive director at Port Cares. “It was so exciting watching it grow at our booth, bringing in over $37,000 total over the weekend through in-person sales on West Street, as well as online.
“These draws are vital to us operating our Reach Out Centre Food Bank, which is helping 2,400 unique individuals and a third of them are children under 18,” Clark Lafleur explains.
“I purchased tickets before for one of the Port Cares draws and thought, ‘well you probably have way better odds than the provincial draws!” said Rebecca Clark, when she arrived for her cheque.
Turns out she was right.
Even though anyone 18+ in Ontario can purchase tickets, all seven winners have been local for the agency’s online draws.
Having used to work at Community Living, Rebecca said she knew how rewarding it is to have a job helping people, like Port Cares does. She enjoyed being a part of an organization that assisted others who needed it most.
Clark says she still hasn’t decided what she’ll do with her winnings but will share with her kids and was heading out with a crew to enjoy the afternoon on a patio.
John Hudak of Port Colborne won the $1,500 prize which consisted of passes to Splashtown Niagara, the Lighthouse Festival at Roselawn Theatre, Safari Niagara passes, a foursome of gold at Niagara National Golf & Country Club, dining certificates for Don Cherry’s and Melina’s, a giant floating flamingo, big beach towels and other fun toys for on the water, all in a cooler on wheels.
When Hudak came to collect the prize, he told staff about how Port Cares has helped his family 30 years ago.
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.
The annual Back to School Backpack program is underway at the agency now. Families who wish to register can phone the 905-835-1914 and apply to receive a backpack filled with school supplies appropriate to their age / grade. You can also register in-person at the Reach Out Centre at 61 Nickel Street during food bank hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs 12:30-2:30.
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
Aug 2022 – Rebecca Clark of Welland: $38,805
NEXT DRAW:
Port Cares’ popular Holiday 50/50 Draw will return in December, with 12 early bird prizes and the cash draw on January 1, 2023.
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.
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.
