One lucky winner just got $157,925 richer this week, after the 91原创 Rotary Clubs drew its 50/50 Mega Draw on Wednesday, Aug. 30, at noon.
The jackpot reached $315,850 and sold out of $20 tickets for the raffle.
Jeff Morfitt, chairperson of the draw, said ticket sales exceeded last year鈥檚 total of almost $290,000.
鈥淭he whole reason for doing it is to raise money for very worthy causes in our community, that鈥檚 what I really like about it,鈥� he told the 91原创 Advance Times.
Something that stood out to Morfitt this year was one buyer who bought $7,000 worth of tickets for the Mega Draw.
Although the winner, Carl Holm from Chilliwack, did not answer Morfitt鈥檚 call, they are still entitled to their half of the jackpot.
The other half of the funds will be donated to different local charities and non-profits, such as 91原创 hospice, Foundry 91原创, and Meals on Wheels, among others.
Morfitt said a donation will also be made to the 91原创 Volunteer Bureau based in Aldergrove, which helps connect community members seeking volunteer work with organizations or events that need volunteers.
鈥淭he volunteers do an amazing job, and鈥� they help get volunteers out to all sorts of events that are helping the community. So, it really is an organization that helps other organizations in the community. And they helped us hugely for RibFest,鈥� Morfitt said.
Rotarians are going to take a break for the next couple of months after the busy summer, Morfitt said, but planning for next year鈥檚 50/50 Mega Draw will begin in January.
Something new the clubs are considering is extending the raffle for an additional week, instead of closing it on the last day of RibFest. This year $20 tickets sold out only a couple hours before the raffle closed, so Morfitt is interested to see what would happen if ticket bundles were still available for a week after RibFest.
鈥淚t might actually help us grow, so [we鈥檙e] possibly doing that next year,鈥� Morfitt said.
He expects ticket sales to open in late May 2024, and RibFest will return on Aug. 16 to 18.
READ ALSO: VIDEO: 44,000 attend 91原创鈥檚 sixth annual RibFest
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