Catch the Ace volunteers (L-R) Sue McCallister, Maxine Smaglinski and Julie Callon are excited for the fun to begin.
The St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation is bringing back its popular Catch the Ace lottery for an eighth round, giving people another exciting chance to win while supporting local healthcare. The lottery returns after a successful seventh run that lasted from November 2023 to October 2024, ending with a grand prize win of $479,830 for Barry’s Bay resident Edgar Lucas.
Last year’s Catch the Ace raised more than $636,000 to support equipment needs at St. Francis Memorial Hospital. Part of the funds were used to buy a new mobile x-ray machine, which cost over $212,000. This year, the proceeds from the lottery will support the most urgent equipment needs across several healthcare organizations, including St. Francis Memorial Hospital, Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care, and Valley Manor.
Erin Gienow, Executive Director of the St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation, said the continued success of the lottery is a big win for the community. She said that every ticket purchased helps make a difference by funding important medical equipment and improving healthcare services in the region.
Ticket sales begin Thursday, April 17, and the first live draw is set for Thursday, May 1. Weekly draws will continue until someone finds the Ace of Spades. All draws will be streamed live on the Foundation’s Facebook page.
Tickets can be bought online at www.sfvhfcatchtheace.com or in person at various local vendors across the area. For help with online purchases, ticket buyers can email the Foundation at sfvhfcatchtheace@gmail.com.
The Foundation encourages everyone to take part, saying that every ticket is not only a chance to win big but also a way to support vital healthcare services in the community.
(Written by: Emma Butler)