BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS ONTARIO HOLDS FIRST OF ITS KIND,
PROVINCE-WIDE 50/50 LOTTERY TO BENEFIT AT-RISK KIDS
The jackpot is already over $120,000 with half going to the winner in 11 days!
Ottawa, October 6, 2020 – Last month, 40 participating Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) agencies across Ontario announced that provincial government approved a unique single licence to sell 50/50 lottery tickets in their local communities. The BBBS of Ontario’s “Bigger Together” lottery fundraiser is raising money to support powerful mentoring programs that make a demonstrable difference in the lives of vulnerable children and youth all across Ontario.
Due to the pandemic, the traditional fundraising events BBBS agencies typically host in their communities are impossible at this time but the needs of at-risk children do not stop. “This unique lottery agreement is a real game-changer for us,” said BBBS Ottawa’s Executive Director Susan Ingram. “It means all 40 BBBS agencies can draw on the strength of each other to promote and sell tickets in our individual communities across the province”. It is anticipated that this collective strategy will significantly help these agencies meet their fundraising needs. Currently, the pot is already over $120,000 with half going to the winning ticket holder and the remaining going toward matching at-risk children and youth with nurturing, caring adults.
The winning ticket will be drawn in 11 days.
In every community, BBBS agencies across the province rely on the generous sponsorship and support of local corporate partners and this year is no exception. In this case, Rise Up Strategies not only guaranteed the early bird draw for this special lottery but also seeded the pot with a $5000 donation. In a statement, Rise Up Strategies CEO Adam Smith said that the BBBS mission to enable life-changing mentoring relationships to ignite the power and potential of young people really aligns to his corporate values and purpose. “The opportunity to support a child to rise up into a confident, concerned and motivated young person is truly something amazing”, said Smith.
A 50/50 draw is a lottery for which 50% of the ticket revenue brought in goes to the winning ticket holder and 50% goes to the benefiting charity. All charitable lotteries in the province must be licenced with the Alcohol Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). For the first time, the AGCO has granted 40 separate BBBS agencies across the province a single licence allowing them to offer one shared lottery to fundraise collectively. Traditionally, the Commission only awards one licence per charitable entity.
Ticket purchasers must be 18 years of age to enter and residents within the province of Ontario. Tickets can be bought through the website at: https://bigbrothersbigsistersraffle.5050central.com/Home/SelectTickets
For media inquiries:
Joanna Riley
819-329-0580
joanna@riseupstrategies.com
