THUNDER BAY – Some holiday cash will help one lucky shopper pay off those Christmas bills -- and put aside a little for next year too.
The Intercity Shopping Centre 50/50 Cash Draw, with a top prize of up to $50,000, is held support of the Our Hearts at Home Cardiovascular Campaign, which aims to bring a full-time cardiovascular surgery program to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
That doubles the most recent jackpot prizes.
It's all for a great cause, said Dave Grady, member of the NextGen cabinet for the campaign.
“It’s our time to have a full cardiovascular surgery program available here in Northwestern Ontario. We all know someone, or even multiple people who’ve had to leave town for surgery and, let’s be honest, it’s not an experience any patient or family wants to go through,” Grady said.
“There’s nothing more important than knowing family and friends can surround a loved one when they need these critical surgical services. Right now, we have a full complement of vascular surgeons who are providing 24/7 vascular surgery, saving both lives and limbs.
“The next step is to bring cardiac surgery here and, thanks to Intercity Shopping Centre and everyone who purchases a ticket in this year’s draw, that will soon be a reality.”
Mall management said the draw is always a popular attraction each fall, as the public quickly gets into holiday shopping mode.
“We can’t wait to get this draw rolling,” said Stacey Ball, general manager at Intercity Shopping Centre.
“Our community has endured many changes this year due to COVID-19 and we’re delighted that this draw could safely continue, and, in fact, get even better than years past. Knowing that all the funds raised go right back to our Hospital for cardiovascular surgery was the motivation for us to find a way to keep this draw going, and we were so excited about it, we launched about a month earlier than normal.”
Tickets, which can be bought online for the first time this year, are also available as always at the mall's guest services counter.
They are $10 each, three for $20 and 10 for $50. Ticket-holders must be 18 or older. The draw will be held at 2 p.m. on Dec. 23 at Intercity Shopping Centre. Ticket-holders do not have to be in attendance to win.