To help support their charitable causes, the Thorold Lions Club is holding its third online lottery, which works in an elimination draw style format.
Only 100 tickets are sold, at a cost of $20 per person, by contacting any Thorold Lion via email: [email protected] or through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thoroldlionsclub/
Once you’ve reached out to a Thorold Lion, that club member will assign you a ticket number. No paper ticket is necessary. Participants can pay the $20 entry fee by cash or e-transfer, whichever method is more convenient.
According to club member Bill VanderKlippe, tickets are drawn one at a time, with each contestant whose ticket is drawn eliminated from claiming the grand prize. Additional smaller prizes are awarded to contestants throughout the process of drawing tickets.
The last remaining ticket in the drum will be pronounced the lucky winner, drawn on March 26, 2021.
There is no cash value to the $350 grand prize gift card package, which is presented in a gift box, along with various tasty sauces and salsas, courtesy of Big Red Markets.
Lions Club members advise that during the previous two draws, tickets sold quickly, “So don't delay if you would like one.”
Club members came up with the fundraising grocery lottery idea as an alternative to their traditional Spring Sociable, hosted annually in Thorold, but cancelled last year and this year, due to the pandemic.
All proceeds are allocated to the Lions’ five fundraising pillars: support for people with diabetes, sight issues, juvenile cancer, hunger, and the environment.
Known internationally for helping the visually impaired, local Lions Clubs—including Thorold—have made significant contributions toward purchasing ophthalmologist equipment for the Welland Hospital, noted VanderKlippe.
In addition, the Thorold club has raised funds to secure and train guide dogs, which assist people who experience difficulty seeing and hearing, as well as those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and other physical challenges.
He said that the Lions have also supported families whose children are not expected to live long, and those who are on dialysis, by sending them to camps where they can enjoy time in a serene setting while still receiving dialysis or other required treatments.
Following the March 26 draw, the next Lions Club/Big Red Markets elimination draw will take place on May 14.
