THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre had to dig deep on Friday to let a Dryden man know he now has an extra $481,085 to play with.
I’m at work, in a mine three quarters of a mile underground.” said Vic Zajarny, when he called foundation president and CEO Vic Glenn Craig, after receiving a text message asking him to call.
“Cell phones don’t work down here. Luckily we have Internet so I was able to see your text, otherwise I wouldn’t have known.”
Zajarny has bought 50/50 tickets for months and said he’ll continue to support the draw, which has raised more than $3.2 million since launching in January.
“About 10 years ago my wife was flown to Thunder Bay’s ICU. I have only good things to say about your Hospital. You’re top notch. You saved my wife’s life, and I will always be grateful for that,’ he said.
“I just like to buy tickets to support a good cause. I didn’t expect to win. Not in a million years.”
Craig said he was glad to see someone in the region take home June’s top prize.
Ticket buyers must be in Ontario at the time of purchase.
It was only a matter of time before someone from outside of Thunder Bay won the jackpot.
“We’ve seen support for the Thunder Bay 50/50 from across Ontario,” Craig said. “Of course a huge percentage of that support comes from Northwestern Ontario, and we’re grateful that people recognize that our Hospital is regional.
“We call it the Thunder Bay 50/50, but it’s not all about Thunder Bay. People from across Northwestern Ontario come to our Hospital for healthcare they cannot get at home. When people buy tickets in the Thunder Bay 50/50 they’re truly helping people from communities all across the Northwest.”
July’s draw is already under way, but it comes with a twist.
Unlike the usual $5,000 guarantee, foundation officials have guaranteed a prize of at least $154,000, with three early bird prizes, starting on July 2, of $2,154.
The 154 is a tribute to Canada Day, the country celebrating its 154th birthday.
Tickets, which can be bought at www.thunderbay5050.ca, are five for $10, 30 for $20, 150 for $50, and for a limited time, 304 for $75.
