A not-for-profit organization in Sarnia-Lambton has launched its first Catch the Ace fundraiser.
Raffle tickets to support ongoing operations at St. Joseph's Hospice went on sale on Thursday, June 3.
Director of Fund Development and Community Relations Maria Muscedere said recent fundraising efforts have been hindered due to COVID-19 restrictions, so the hospice had to think "outside the box" in order to generate revenue.
"We had to change some of our major signature fundraisers," she said. "We've lost a significant amount of revenue, so we thought this was a good way to engage the community and bring something exciting."
St. Joseph's Hospice usually holds an annual gala to help financially support end-of-life programs and services at the organization, however, last year's gala went virtual and raised significantly less than the event had during previous years.
Muscedere calls the Catch the Ace progressive lottery a win-win for the hospice and prize recipients.
The progressive jackpot lottery will run up to 52 weeks, as per the number of cards in a deck. Weekly draws will take place every Thursday, beginning at 9 a.m. on June 10, until the ace of spades is found. Tickets will only be valid for the week in which they are purchased.
Those who buy raffle tickets for the weekly prize will be able to select an electronic card. The winner of the weekly prize will have their electronic card checked to see if it is indeed the ace of spades.
Although draws will take place on Thursdays, ticket sales will close each week on Wednesdays at 11:59 p.m.
Fifty per cent of proceeds raised during weekly ticket sales will go toward St. Joseph's Hospice, 30 per cent will go to the progressive jackpot, and 20 per cent will go to the weekly draw.
"We're continuing to operate as normal, 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said Muscedere. "We want to continue to provide all of our programs and services free of charge in the community of Sarnia-Lambton as we have since day one."
Those who purchase tickets must be within Ontario to play and must be at least 18 years of age. Raffle tickets can be purchased online at 10 tickets for $10, 60 tickets for $20, and 200 tickets for $40.