STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.
By Justine Kelsie

Winners drawn for Cars for Christmas Mega Lottery

Jan 12, 2018 | 2:00 PM

The winners of the Swan City Rotary Club Cars for Christmas Mega Lottery were drawn today at the Prairie Mall. 

Dave Cook, president of the club, said ticket sales increased for the fundraiser for 2017. 

“We had a definite increase over last year. Probably about 10 percent increase in sales,” said Cook. “So, we are very pleased with that. Our 50-50 was essentially very close to selling out within point 2 of a percent. We are very pleased with the results of both. It shows that the economy is growing and Grande Prairie is obviously very generous.”

Derek Swan from Grande Prairie was pulled as the winner of the 50-50 Christmas Cash Bonus Draw. He will receive $123,935 in cash with that same amount of money going back to charities that the lottery supports.

“It’s exciting and I really enjoy when we phone the winners and hear their reaction. In some cases, it is really emotional in what difference it makes to their lives.” 

For the prize draw, Nick and Sandra VanRootselaar’s ticket was pulled for the first prize. The couple won a 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor 4×4 and a 2017 Ford Mustang Convertible. Bryce Somerville was pulled for second prize and Denis Colbert was drawn for the third place prize. All names picked as prize winners will be up on the Cars for Christmas lottery website within ten days.

Cook explains that the money raised from the 18th annual fundraiser goes to over 40 charities and local organizations. According to the lottery’s website, Camp Tamarack Association, Disabled Transportation Society of Grande Prairie, and Special Olympics Grande Prairie are among the 12 local non-profit groups receiving funds. 

Anyone who purchased a ticket prior to December 29, 2017, at 9 p.m. was entered into the lottery. The final draw took place on January 12, 2018, with 83.5 percent of all tickets sold. 

There were also two sets of Early Bird Draw winners announced in mid-November and mid-December. In the first round of names from November, Ed Grabowski of Plamondon won $5000, and four others won $1000 cash prizes. For the second round of names in December, Martin Driedger of La Crete won the $5000 prize with four others taking $1000 prizes. 

 

 

by Justine Kelsie