Glace Bay 50/50 jackpot a big draw, even in tough financial times
Like elves in Santa's workshop, volunteers were busy collecting money, and ticket stubs, for Glace Bay Minor Hockey’s 50/50 draw on Sunday.
Meanwhile, many who were forking it over had visions of dollar signs dancing in their heads.
"We're anticipating our biggest draw ever next Sunday," said James Edwards, president of Glace Bay Minor Hockey. “Even today's draw will be $70,000 plus."
For years, proceeds from the draw have allowed kids in the community to play minor hockey for free.
This year, with Giving Tuesday donations down across the country and even Black Friday sales lower than normal in parts of Canada, people in Glace Bay and surrounding communities have still been finding the money to buy a ticket.
"Well, you know what? Money sells, and Glace Bay is no different," Edwards said. “People have the opportunity to win upwards of $200,000."
Tracey Hanrahan is the person everyone hopes to get a phone call from this time of year.
"Oh, it's amazing, to be able to call and change someone's life," she said.
Hanrahan also isn't surprised that people are willing to cough up a few bucks, or more, for a chance at next week's big Christmas jackpot.
"Not really, because you know this is their chance at winning so much money and it would really change their lives," Hanrahan said. “So everybody's just like, 'I'm in.'"
It's no secret that playing hockey is expensive at the best of times.
Given the cost of living now, Edwards says the draw, perhaps more than ever, might be helping families who otherwise couldn't afford it enroll their kids to take part.
"That's exactly it. Anyone who wants to participate in a winter skating sport in Glace Bay can do it," Edwards said.
With the grand prize jackpot set for next Sunday, Edwards said it could be the biggest one yet.
“I'm predicting it's going to eclipse the $200,000 mark," he said.
Edwards added that next week’s Christmas jackpot will also include a draw for a family to win a trip to Disney World.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian former Olympic snowboarder wanted in Ontario double homicide: DOJ
A Canadian former Olympic snowboarder who is suspected of being the leader of a transnational drug trafficking group that operated in four countries is wanted for allegedly orchestrating the murder of an 'innocent' couple in Ontario in 2023, authorities say.
Ontario school board trustees under fire for $100K religious art purchase on Italy trip
Trustees with an Ontario school board are responding to criticism over a $45,000 trip to Italy, where they purchased more than $100,000 worth of religious statues.
A photographer snorkeled for hours to take this picture
Shane Gross, a Canadian marine conservation photojournalist, has won the title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Tobacco giants would pay out $32.5 billion to provinces, smokers in proposed deal
Three tobacco giants are proposing to pay close to $25 billion to provinces and territories and more than $4 billion to some 100,000 Quebec smokers and their loved ones as part of a corporate restructuring process triggered by a long-running legal battle.
More Trudeau cabinet ministers not running for re-election, sources say shuffle expected soon
Federal cabinet ministers Filomena Tassi, Carla Qualtrough and Dan Vandal announced Thursday they will not run for re-election. Senior government sources tell CTV News at least one other, Marie-Claude Bibeau, doesn't plan to run again, setting the stage for Justin Trudeau to shuffle his cabinet in the coming weeks.
Robert Pickton's handwritten book seized after his death in hopes of uncovering new evidence
A handwritten book was seized from B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton's prison cell following his death earlier this year, raising hopes of uncovering new evidence in a series of unprosecuted murders.
Former members of One Direction say they're 'completely devastated' by Liam Payne's death
The former members of English boy band One Direction reacted publicly to the sudden death of their bandmate, Liam Payne, for the first time on Thursday, saying in a joint statement that they're 'completely devastated.'
Israel says it has killed top Hamas leader Yayha Sinwar in Gaza
Israeli forces in Gaza killed top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, a chief architect of last year's attack on Israel that sparked the war, the military said Thursday. Troops appeared to have run across him unknowingly in a battle, only to discover afterwards that a body in the rubble was Israel's most wanted man.
Indian government employee charged in foiled murder-for-hire plot in New York City
The U.S. Justice Department announced criminal charges Thursday against an Indian government employee in connection with a foiled plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader living in New York City.