Facing persistent economic headwinds, STARS air ambulance fell short of a sellout in its annual fundraiser for the second year in a row.
This year, 94.3 per cent of the 1,049,600 tickets sold by the March 22 deadline, said STARS spokeswoman Fatima Khawaja. It’s only the second time in the 25-year fundraising effort that it was not a sellout.
Khawaja said the economic downturn has affected many fundraising efforts.
“It’s hard to say (why), but if you look across the charitable lottery sector they’re all kind of going slow,” she said.
“Slowly but surely the economy is picking up but that still definitely has an effect,” she said.
“The charitable sector does get hit by the economy.”
Related:
While not a sellout, STARS is pleased it came so close to a sellout and can count on the support of tens of thousands of Albertans.
“We’re still really amped we were able to do 94.3, and were so appreciative of the support Albertans have offered us in the 25th year of the lottery.”
A 50/50 draw introduced several years ago continued to prove popular, selling out early as it has every year. The winner received $1.75 million this year, and the draw will definitely be back next year.
This year, a home was not raffled off in Red Deer as they were in Edmonton, Calgary, and Lethbridge.
Khawaja said they are always looking at ways to improve the fundraiser and decided to offer a big cash prize instead of a house. A Red Deer home could be back next year.
Another ongoing project is the municipal partner initiative. STARS has been visiting most of the province’s municipalities annually to pitch a request for a $2 per capita contribution.
Lacombe County was approached recently and opted not to participate. While there was support for STARS, council was reluctant to support one charity over others.
STARS senior municipal relations liaison Glenda Farnden said the initiative is an ongoing effort, and it has been successful in increasing the number of municipalities pledging annual support.
About 90 per cent of rural municipalities now provide per-capita grants.
“We’re getting a growing number of urbans, towns, and villages that are coming on board as well,” she said. Urban and rural municipalities together contribute about $1.7 million annually.
“It’s a matter of joining everyone together, and we’re all trying to continue to preserve a service that we are very fortunate as Albertans to have and especially at no cost to the patients.”
STARS operates on a $38-million budget, with Alberta Health Services covering about 20 per cent.
About 40 per cent – around $16 million – is contributed by municipalities, individuals, and the corporate sector.
pcowley@reddeeradvocate.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter