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Commentary: Charity lotteries help good causes
Commentary by Theresa Seraphim
for Smoky River Express
Two recent lotteries – both of which are close to selling out, if they are not already done – highlight the important work of organizations, and deserve support.
The STARS lottery began several weeks ago, while the Legion Million Dollar Lottery was advertised more recently. While there are many examples of such lotteries, these two especially merit support because of their importance, or potential importance, to area residents.
For example, in 2010 STARS air ambulance crews were called out 28 times to High Prairie and three times each to Slave Lake and Falher, according to STARS spokesperson Cameron Heke.
This means quite a few people living in this region have had need of the service, in which critically ill or injured patients are airlifted to hospital.
While STARS does get some government money, it depends on the goodwill of donors to reach its monetary targets and so continue this vital service. STARS prefers this model, says Heke, because it allows crews to “be nimble in the services we provide,” which include search and rescue besides medical transport.
It would be safe to say that nobody who has had to use STARS is ungrateful for what the crews – all of whom are highly trained medical professionals – have done for them. Indeed, it would not be an understatement to say that without STARS, lives would have been lost. No price can be put on that.
The Legion, which has been around for decades, is falling on harder times due to funding struggles and declining membership. So, 17 years ago, the Million Dollar Lottery was started, to raise some money. While there was a struggle for the first few years, the endeavour is now self-sufficient, says lottery chair Wayne Campbell.
There’s good money to be won. Besides the million-dollar grand prize, there are two other big prizes of $350,000 and $150,000, and numerous other prizes, so that $2.16 million is up for grabs.
Here are two points to consider.
The first is that the money raised in the lottery is split between the province’s 179 Legion branches and goes for both branch needs and donations to community groups.
Thus, our veterans (who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today) benefit, and so do others such as seniors and youth, to name just two types of groups. Talk about a win/win situation.
The other point is that several years ago, the $1 million prize went to a High Prairie couple, which, says High Prairie Legion branch president Don Ebbett wryly, “helped us for the next year’s sales.”
Wouldn’t it be great if that happened again to someone in this region?
Both lotteries are reasonably priced, at $25 per ticket. Both are also at least 40 per cent sold, as previous buyers, given first dibs on purchases, have returned to support them.
Both lotteries help to preserve life, or make it brighter or easier. Of all the lottery causes we’re constantly hearing about, here are two that stand out.
As far as we’re able, let’s support them.
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