With nearly $300,000 raised since May, the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation is thrilled with their new title of hosting Chatham-Kent’s biggest 50/50 draw.
Foundation President and CEO Mary Lou Crowley says the idea was inspired by another popular fundraiser.
“We started talking about it in the springtime. We had it up and going the second week of May, which was a lot of work. What we initially wanted to do was exceed the amount raised during the IPM,” says Crowley.
Last fall’s International Plowing Match draw set the record at $168,000.
Bert Vanderheide of Blenheim won yesterday’s Igniting Healthcare 50/50 draw, and will take home nearly $150,000. The rest of the proceeds going toward a piece of equipment for the Urology Program.
Bert, a 59 year old from Blenheim has been renting a home that he has really wanted to buy. “My landlord is retiring and selling his properties, I really wanted to buy the house and now I can,” says Vanderheide.
Vanderheide bought his ticket at the Foundation office on Tuesday at 10:49 am.