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Share this Story: Renfrew's Catch the Ace lottery has raised more than $2.2 million for Renfrew Victoria Hospital
Renfrew's Catch the Ace lottery has raised more than $2.2 million for Renfrew Victoria Hospital
Tina Peplinskie
Feb 24, 2020 • February 24, 2020 • 2 minute read
In 45 weeks, the Renfrew Catch the Ace lottery has raised in excess of $2.2 million for the Renfrew Victoria Hospital Foundation to purchase equipment at the hospital. The amount was revealed during the Feb. 20 draw in Renfrew by foundation members Melanie Clemmer (left) and Patti Watters. Photo by Tina Peplinskie /Pembroke Observer and News
RENFREW – As Renfrew's Catch the Ace lottery heads for the Week 46 draw, the fundraiser has surpassed the $2.2 million mark for the Renfrew Victoria Hospital Foundation.
Once again sales in Week 45 were through the roof, according to foundation executive director Patti Dillabough. George and Susan Dunlop of Cobden were the lucky winners of that draw, held Feb. 20 at Finnigan's Roadhouse in Renfrew. They took home the weekly prize of $115,496 after choosing envelope 45, which contained the two of clubs as the elusive Ace of Spades remains hidden. They purchased the ticket at Olmstead's Home Hardware Building Centre in Cobden.
Renfrew's Catch the Ace lottery has raised more than $2.2 million for Renfrew Victoria Hospital Back to video
Melanie Clemmer of the Renfrew Victoria Hospital Foundation shows the two of clubs, which was revealed Feb. 20 when George and Susan Dunlop of Cobden chose Envelope 45 in Week 45 of the Renfrew Catch the Ace lottery. Photo by Tina Peplinskie /Pembroke Observer and News
The progressive jackpot in the lottery started the week at $1.33 million, which will continue to grow as only seven cards remain.
Prior to the draw, Dillabough shared some interesting stats. She noted volunteers have dedicated more than 11,000 hours to the Catch the Ace fundraiser and the hospital has given out in excess of $800,000 in weekly prizes. For those "groupies" who have attended the draws each week, they have spent 180 hours together at Finnigan's.
She also thanked vendors again for their dedication to selling lottery tickets week after week, and noted they don't get anything out of the lottery other than helping their community hospital. She asked people to be patient when purchasing tickets as these sales are impacting regular operations at the more than 45 businesses throughout the Ottawa Valley where tickets are sold.
The foundation members are often asked what has been the best part of the lottery and Dillabough said that is an easy question to answer – it has been getting to meet and become friends with vendors, hospital staff and community members.
"The whole community is truly behind us," she said.
To date funds raised through the lottery have helped to equip the main x-ray suite with state-of-the-art equipment and IT upgrades, purchase a portable x-ray machine that will be vital to the emergency department and in patients, purchase state-of-the-art defibrillators for each of the departments within the hospital and fund new anaesthesia equipment needed in the operating room.
Tickets are available at more than 46 locations through the Ottawa Valley including all Circle K locations in Pembroke (320 Pembroke St. East, 100 Pembroke St. East and Irving at 1751 Paul Martin Dr.) Ticket sales stop at 2 p.m. on draw day, except for Finnigan's in Renfrew where sales continue until 8:15 p.m. For a full list, visit the Renfrew Victoria Hospital Facebook page. Dillabough encouraged everyone to be patient when purchasing tickets. If anyone has questions about the lottery, they are asked to call the foundation office at 613-432-4851 ext. 276, 312 or 263.
The next draw will be held Feb. 27 at Finnigan's Roadhouse at 8:30 p.m.
TPeplinskie@postmedia.com
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