THUNDER BAY - There’s a lot more to celebrate today other than Canada’s 151st birthday for one local resident.
Rob Marasco of Thunder Bay was announced as the winner of this year’s Rotary House Lottery Draw. He is the new owner of a 1,620 square foot Pioneer Drive home worth $546,143.
Sante Sottile, president of Fort William Rotary, said this year more than 12,000 tickets were sold in the annual draw that has been held in Thunder Bay for the past 32 years. Tickets were available in March and sold out as of May 2.
“We sold out last year, but last year was probably the first week of June,” Sottile said. “So this year we sold out much earlier.”
This year, the draw raised more than $342,000 and the money is used to support a variety of organizations throughout the city, including the George Jeffery Children’s Centre, the Christmas Cheer Fund, Salvation Army, Rotary Shelter House, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
“All the proceeds from the house lottery are reinvested into the community,” Sottile said. “Every cent goes back here in Thunder Bay.”
Sottile said many people buy tickets every year and while the prospect of getting handed the keys to a brand new house, that’s not what gets people coming back year after year.
“Most people who buy the tickets often say they buy a ticket because they know the proceeds stay in Thunder Bay and if they win the house, that’s secondary,” he said.
The winner was announced at Marina Park during the Canada Day celebrations on Sunday. Marasco was not in attendance.
