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Someone will be starting the New Year with thousands in cash, if they go to www.portcares5050.ca today to get tickets to the fifth online draw! Launching today, tickets are once again five for $10, 20 for $20 or 100 for $40 with a chance to actually win 13 times.
Like last year, there’ll be early bird draws every day from December 12 – 23 for the 12 Days of Giveaways. Each prize is worth $100 or more and have all been donated by local retailers like Pet Valu, Food Basics, Napa Auto, Canadian Tire and more. All draws take place at 2:00 p.m. The big cash draw takes place at 2:00 p.m.
on January 1st and the winner is guaranteed to take home at least $5,000.
The biggest draw winner so far took home almost $43,000. A total of over $124,000 has been won in Port Cares’ draws which began in the summer of 2020. Three of the winners were from Port Colborne and one from Welland, even though anyone in Ontario 18+ can purchase tickets.
Winners from all early bird prizes are still eligible to win half the pot on New Year’s Day.
“Our online 50/50 draws have been our life-line through the pandemic. Every penny raised through this fundraiser has been used to keep our charity services like the food bank helping more people than ever before,” says Christine Clark Lafleur, executive director at Port Cares. “This overwhelming support both locally and across Ontario is so greatly appreciated as our services are in demand more than ever.”
Since the on-set of the pandemic, Port Cares has had a 30 percent increase in people accessing their services. They’re helping more people than ever before, with less opportunities for fundraising and altered services.
This holiday season Port Cares will provide a Christmas dinner and gift for likely over 150 people.
The Give a Gift program provides low-income parents and caregivers toys, clothing, warm boots and books as Christmas gifts for roughly 420 to 500 children.
For 150 children and adults experiencing extreme poverty and difficult circumstances, Port Cares facilitates assistance and Christmas gifts given by anonymous donors.
“This online 50/50 was started as a result of the pandemic that forced us to cancel all in-person events which are our major fundraising opportunities,” explains Clark Lafleur. “This has been a great opportunity for us to MEDIA RELEASE recoup our much-needed dollars that support our foodbank, hot meal program, school lunch program and more.”
Losing the proceeds of major fundraising events like the annual auction gala has left a shortfall of $150,000 – funds depended on to operate the agency’s charitable services like the foodbank which does not receive any form of government funding.
Many thanks to the follow local businesses who donated prizes for our draw: Boggio’s Pharmacy, No Frills, Sobey’s, Food Basics, Green Apple Coffee House, Grant’s Gifts & Picket Fence, Pet Valu, Harvey’s / Swiss Chalet, Ben Berg, Canadian Tire, Sewell’s Automotive Supply and PartSource.
‘TIS THE SEASON:
With the holiday season upon us, there are many ways to participate in supporting our community. Here’s a look at upcoming initiatives that support Port Cares.
Friday, December 10
• Holiday Food Drive Breakfast at Melina’s Family Restaurant - 115 Main St. 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. $1 from every breakfast goes towards Port Cares’ Reach Out Centre. Homemade sugar cookies will be available for purchase and a bin is on-site now until Dec. 10 for non-perishable food items. Part of the Great Holiday Food Drive with Bell Media.
• Coffee & Tea for PC Port Colborne McDonald’s – 569 Main St. W – ALL DAY Purchase any size coffee or tea and 50 cents will go towards Port Cares. Part of the Great Holiday Food Drive with Bell Media.
Friday, December 17
• Haulin’ for Hunger – Food Drive by Giant FM & Country 89 Stop by Port Colborne Sobey’s from 4-8 p.m. to make a non-perishable or cash donation for the Haulin’ for Hunger campaign. Learn more at on GiantFM website Or, donate online via their GoFundMe campaign.
Food Donation Bins are located at:
• Reach Out Centre - 61 Nickel Street
• Port Cares – 92 Charlotte Street
• Sessions Cannabis – 287 West Side Rd (Sobey’s Plaza)
• Melina’s Family Restaurant
• Port Colborne grocery stores
Donate New & Unwrapped Toys:
• Reach Out Centre - 61 Nickel Street
• The Bargain Shop – 38 Clarence Street : Fill a Sleigh until Dec. 11
• Port Colborne Fire & Emergency Services – 3 Killaly Street West
Donate Winter Wear (new or gently used):
• Port Thrift – 12 Charlotte Street
• Port Cares Reach Out Centre – 61 Nickel Street
A message from Port Cares.
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