Even though only half the Dream Home Lottery tickets have been sold so far, the Red Deer Kinsmen Club is quite excited this year as the final draw date of Dec. 31 approaches.
On Thursday, the early bird draw saw Joe and Marilyn Reiswig of Airdrie win a trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, courtesy of Janice Resch of Century 21 Advantage and Marival Resorts and World Spa.
Leonard Sisco, Kinsmen Dream Home Lottery chair, said he was very pleased that they have sold 7,875 out of 14,115 tickets available, or 55 per cent.
In 2011, they had only sold a total of 10,315 tickets (73 per cent) by the end of the campaign on New Year’s Eve. Last year was worse, with only 9,964 tickets sold (70 per cent) in total. “So you can see why we are so excited!” said Sisco.
The 50/50 draw is going very well also, with $118,745 in the bank. There is a minimum payout of $30,000. A sellout would total $150,000, split with $75,000 going to the winner and $75,000 going to the Youth and Volunteer Centre for the renovation project at Camp Alexo. The 50/50 tickets are: one for $10, five for $25 and 16 for $50, available at the dream home.
Tickets for a chance to win the $890,000 house built by Larkaun Homes are one for $100 or three for $250. They can be purchased at the dream home on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.
The home is located at 220 Vancouver Cres. in Red Deer’s Vanier Woods neighbourhood.
Other prizes include a 2013 Nissan Titan SL truck, a hot tub, massage chairs and a barbecue.
Dream home tickets can also be purchased at various Servus Credit Union locations, as well as at Sproule’s Mountview IDA on 43rd Avenue in Red Deer or by calling 403-356-3900, or online at www.reddeerkinsmen.com.
The lottery is run completely by volunteers and the Kinsmen do not employ an outside marketing company, so all money raised remains here.
Proceeds go to local non-profit helping agencies.
Ticket lines shut down at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31. Both draws will take place later that evening.