The Georgian Bay Biosphere will be holding a “Catch the Ace” progressive lottery to raise funds for conservation and education programs. Tickets will be sold weekly starting July 26th and a draw will be held every Thursday evening.
“Our fundraising committee had a long list of ideas and decided to try this one because it has not been done in the Parry Sound area before,” says Becky Pollock, executive director of GBB. “The event is known as ‘Chase-the-Ace’ outside Ontario and is a popular way for charities of all sizes to raise funds for their programming.”
Each week, one winner is guaranteed 20% of the weekly pot. Another 30% of weekly sales is allocated to the progressive jackpot, which goes to the lucky winner who finds the Ace of Spades. The remaining 50% of weekly proceeds goes to the Biosphere’s programming.
GBB Fundraising Chair, Jess Fargher, explains: “All the cards in a deck are put into sealed envelopes and numbered from 1 to 52. When you buy a ticket, you pick a number from the unopened envelopes and write it on your ticket. If your ticket is drawn, the envelope with your chosen number is opened. If the Ace of Spades is not in the envelope, you win 20% of the weekly proceeds. If it contains the Ace of Spades then you win the 20% weekly pot AND the progressive jackpot!”
As the lottery progresses the choice of numbers declines, which increases the chances of “catching the ace.” Ticket vendors have a chart that is updated to show which numbers remain each week. Ticket-holders do not have to be present at the draw to win.
Tickets are removed immediately after each week’s draw and new weekly sales begin. The longer the lottery runs, the larger the jackpot grows, and as soon as the Ace of Spades is found, the event ends.
Tickets are $5 and can be purchased by cash or cheque from volunteers and at several local businesses. You must be over 18 to purchase tickets.
Weekly draws start August 1st at 7:45 p.m. at Trestle Brewing, 9 Great North Road, Parry Sound. Each draw will be broadcast live on a GBB Catch the Ace Facebook page. Event information and lottery rules are available at the event Facebook page, at the office at 11 James Street or online.