St. John Ambulance trailer draw returns

THUNDER BAY – The popular St. John Ambulance trailer draw is back in 2022, with some new prizes and the option to purchase tickets online.

The draw allows residents to support the charitable organization by purchasing $10 tickets, with the chance to win an RV, camping packages, paddleboards, and more.

With the pandemic halting many of the agency’s typical initiatives, regional fund development and volunteer coordinator Brian Edwards said the fundraiser is more needed than ever.

“This one is probably the most important in the five or six years I’ve been at St. John Ambulance, just because COVID has taken quite a toll on our community services units over the past couple of years,” he said.

Proceeds from the draw, which typically raises in the neighbourhood of $60,000, after accounting for costs, will help reboot community programs that have had to pause due to COVID-19, he said.

St. John Ambulance services supported by the draw include the Medical First Response Division (MFR), car seat safety inspection program, therapy dog program, school safety and education programs, and the Youth Cadet and Crusader Program.

The organization has printed 10,500 tickets, 500 more than usual, in anticipation of a slight bump from the sale of tickets online, new this year.

This year’s first prize is a 2022 Forest River Grey Wolf 29TE travel trailer, with a retail value of $41,449.86.

The second prize is a Honda EU3000iS Inverter RV generator, with a retail value of $3,309.76, while the third prize is a Boardworks SOLR inflatable standup paddleboard package with two paddleboards, with a retail value of $2,639.90

Winners will be drawn on Aug. 17.

The organization has added a second early bird draw this year.

On April 27, it will draw for a two-night KOA Family Camping Package, a St. John Ambulance Family First Aid Kit and a Standard First Aid with Level A CPR and AED Course, and a Chaltrek Work & Play Outdoors Gift Certificate worth $100.

On June 22, it will draw for a four-night stay at Kashabowie River Resort, including boat and motor rental, and a Canadian Tire Ultimate Camping Package including an eight-person dome tent.

Tickets for the draw are available online, in person, or over the phone. More details are available at the contest website.