THUNDER BAY – Though it likely won`t hit $15 million, the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation is hoping to cash in on the 50-50 fever that hit the recent World Junior Hockey Championship.
Glenn Craig, the foundation’s president and CEO, this week launched a the hospital’s latest fundraising venture, a 50-50 draw with a guaranteed jackpot of at least $5,000 – but one that could climb much higher, he said.
“Especially with COVID and the pandemic, we wanted to bring an event to Thunder Bay that people could do from the comfort of their own homes and their own couches,” Craig said.
It’s been a struggle to raise money during COVID-19, he added. This is just another way to capture the public’s attention.
Not being able to hold in-person events makes it that much tougher, combined with the fact there are also economic challenges that have prevented usual donors from giving enough or giving at all over the course of the past year.
“We’ve definitely taken a hit this year and this is one way of trying to make up for that,” Craig said.
Tickets, which are available exclusively at www.thunderbay5050.ca, are five numbers for $10, 30 numbers for $20 and 150 numbers for $50, with all proceeds being used to cover the cost of the highest priority medical equipment needs at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
The first draw is Friday, Feb. 26, though there will also be a pair of early-bird draws for $500, starting on Jan. 29.
“The one great thing about this format, with our last 50/50 there were a limited number of tickets. Now, there is no limit on the number of tickets, which means there’s no limit on the jackpot. Any of you who were recently watching the World Juniors saw some of those huge numbers,” Craig said.
“I don’t think we’re going to get to $15 million, but I’m sure we’re going to get to a very nice number and we’re going to make somebody really happy.”
Ticket buyers must be in Ontario at the time of purchase.
