If being cooped up for the past 18 months due to the pandemic has you longing for travel to exciting new places, the Dream Lottery could be your ticket to escape.
The semi-annual sweepstakes in support of London’s hospitals returned for its fall edition on Tuesday.
While the lottery boasts its usual two luxury grand prize homes, it also features a new 'vacation for life' package worth an estimated $1,071,490. The package consists of $150,000 in Robert Q gift certificates, a 2022 Airstream Atlas valued at $421,490 and $500,000 cash.
If a life on the road isn't for you, there is also the nearly $1.6 million custom home in Warbler Woods. The fully furnished, 3,311 sq. ft multi-level home at 1761 Upper West Avenue combines luxury with modern-day convenience. It has a large kitchen and patio, ideal for entertaining and a sizable master bedroom with ensuite bathroom, walk-in closet and a balcony. The other dream home is located at 429 Callaway Road in north London. The 2,103 sq. ft, French-inspired space is surrounded by nature, but is minutes away from countless amenities. The home is valued at just over $1 million and comes with $250,000 cash.
The grand prize winner also has the option of taking $1 million cash.
With the province dealing with its fourth wave of COVID-19, in-person tours of the dream homes remain off limits.
"Unfortunately, COVID-19 does not allow us to have in-person visits to the homes," said John MacFarlane, president & CEO of the London Health Sciences Foundation. "The good news is that we do have great photography and video, so if you go on the website dreamitwinit.ca you get the feel that you are in the home and see just how spectacular the homes really are."
The past three editions of the lottery sold out early and organizers have their fingers crossed that it will happen again this time around.
"We think we've got great prize packages and we are hopeful that the community will step up yet again to support our local hospitals," said MacFarlane. "Getting a ticket is a win-win really. It's a combination of great prizes and a great cause. You buy a ticket, you know you have a chance at a great prize plus you support the hospitals."
The lottery has raised more than $47 million since 1996 for the London Health Sciences Centre, Children’s Hospital, and St. Joseph’s Health Care London. That money has been used to purchase specialized equipment and fund research at the three medical facilities.
Anyone who buys a ticket for the lottery can also get in on the 50/50 draw. In addition to offering a guaranteed $250,000 payout, this edition of the 50/50 has a bonus prize of a $5,000 Robert Q Gift Certificate or $4,000 cash. The spring 50/50 paid out a record $647,497.50 to the winner.
Tickets for the lottery and 50/50 can be purchased online at www.dreamitwinit.ca or by phone at 519-488-7100. The grand prize draw will be held on January 6, but could be moved up to before Christmas if the lottery sells out.
