The Blaine Lake Senior Citizens Centre and BLCA held its community cash lotto draw Oct. 17 at the senior centre in Blaine Lake.
Many community and surrounding area residents attended the hamburger barbecue prior to the draws. The $100,000 cash prizewinner was Janetta Breaton of Prince Albert and the $10,000 prizewinner was Lee Ann Olsen of Christopher Lake. Breaton's ticket was also drawn for one of the $1,000 draws.
This year organizers were able to improve on the ticket handling and drawing aspect of the draw. Ticket numbers were placed on a round plastic token (almost resembling a poker chip) and then placed into the draw drum. When a token was drawn, the number was verified on a record sheet, then the original ticket was retrieved from the file and verified once again. The ticket holder's name was then announced and the token was placed back into the drum for the next draw. Internal Auditor Barry Glencross was present for the entire pre-draw verification process.
"This committee went above and beyond with their record keeping, database reference and verification of all tickets sold," commented Glencross prior to the draw. He was very pleased with how professionally the lotto was conducted. Sergeant Redlich of the Blaine Lake RCMP Detachment was the official token drawer.
Once again making an appearance was Sheila Righi, first vice-chair of the Saskatchewan Seniors' Association Incorporated (SSAI); she also holds the title of director of Region B (which includes Blaine Lake). She indicated that Blaine Lake seniors are still the only senior organization that has conducted a cash lotto. The SSAI is hosting its sixth annual bowling tournament at the Minto Rec Centre in Prince Albert, March 11 and 12.
Volunteers from both Blaine Lake Senior Citizens club and BLCA organized, prepared and sold tickets prior to the radiothon with CJWW broadcasting live on location from Oct. 11 to 14. Radio personalities Rod Kitter and Dave Thomas worked diligently promoting the lotto and assisting with ticket sales. The live on-location broadcast contributed to over 1,500 of the ticket sales but fell just 108 short of being sold out. As of midnight Oct. 14, 108 eligible tickets were recorded as unsold.
A long period of time and a large volunteer base was required to ensure the success of the event. The purpose of the lottery was twofold: to raise funds to assist with the senior centre's building expansion, and to assist BLCA with its project of upgrading the skating arena ceiling.
Once again Anne Sitter and Annette Pollard were instrumental in handling the cash lotto finances and organizing community volunteers. There were many behind the scenes people that contribute to the project's success. Many duties like answering telephones, issuing tickets, stuffing envelopes, inputting data into the computer, labelling, making bank deposits, picking up supplies, plus so much more. There were also the generous volunteer efforts of locals who provided food items for lunches and supper, baked goods for coffee breaks and lots and lots of moral support.
The community of Blaine Lake thanks everyone for their support. It was noted that Blaine Lake residents purchased 15 percent of the tickets. Other cash prize winners included $1,000 winners: Jim Appelt, Clavet; Mitchell Wrishko, Saskatoon; Janetta Breaton, Prince Albert; Stacey Hunchak, Saskatoon; Tony and Ann Hilkewich, Alvena; Boh Ciona c/o Andy Ciona, Swift Current; Nick and Eileen Greschuk, Saskatoon; Stan Caron, Saskatoon; Gail St. Onge, Spiritwood; and Nancy Stein, Duck Lake. Five hundred dollar winners were: Gerry Lamontagne and Donalee Berry, Blaine Lake; Myron Swistun, Mayfair; Nichole Mollberg, Saskatoon; Chad Musich, Loon Lake; Kimberly Levesque, Vonda; Tara Roney and Louis Roney, Moose Jaw; Brett MacDermott, Blaine Lake; Peter and Eugenia Prystupa, Borden; Victor and Coralea Ens, Martensville; and Ian Hovland, Glenside.
