SOUTHEAST SASKATCHEWAN - Envision Counselling and Support Centre Inc. is running one of its biggest fundraisers of the year, which helps it keep providing its title services and fill the gaps when it comes to mental health in the southeast.
The annual 50/50 for a Cause is starting March 4 with 6,000 tickets up for sale.
"This year, we are going to be running it a little bit differently, but still in collaboration with the Estevan radio stations. Tickets are going to be on sale from March 4 until March 16, with the grand prize draw date of March 20 at 10 a.m. at the Estevan legion this year," said communications specialist Raven Daer.
"Tickets are $10 each. We're not doing any bonus books this year, and the winner is taking home a grand prize of up to $30,000, 50 per cent of the proceeds."
In the first week, Envision will be selling tickets at different locations in Weyburn and Carlyle. On March 8, they will be at the home games for the Weyburn Red Wings and the Estevan Bruins. The second week, they plan to be at different spots in Estevan, doing their traditional live-on-location radio streams and selling tickets in the Energy City.
They also hope to be at the Bruins' game on March 15 and the Wings' game on March 16, which is the last day of ticket sales. On most days, Envision will be at locations between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., except for the hockey games, which are in the evenings.
To find a full list of locations and for the latest updates on the fundraiser, please follow the Envision Counselling and Support Centre on social media.
"All of our social media accounts will be updated with schedules and day-to-day news, just letting folks know where we are and how they can purchase tickets, whether that's just online if maybe the weather is shutting us down or something. We will be consistently updating our website as well," Daer said.
Cash, credit and debit cards will be accepted at the locations. Tickets can also be purchased via e-transfer to envisionraffle@gmail.com. More information can be found on their website. People are asked to include their full name, phone number and email in the message box.
Envision relies heavily on donations and sponsorships to continue to provide necessary and free services to individuals across southeast Saskatchewan. The fundraiser helps them offset rising costs in the upcoming year.
"We are seeing an increase in need for services, but there is also an increase in costs. I know a lot of organizations and businesses are feeling the effects of inflation," Daer said.
"We are striving to be able to offer our programs and services at essentially no cost to the public. That's very important to us, but we are noticing that the costs of just keeping our doors open, renovations, day-to-day operations, and [other] things are getting a little bit higher.
"We want to ensure that we are still creating safe and welcoming spaces for folks to come in for support … And we're always trying to expand our programming. So that is where the donations and the fundraisers really, really do help us because we only get so much funding from the government."
"Thank you for your ongoing support. We wouldn't be able to do what we do, without you," Envision wrote on their social media.
The Envision Counselling and Support Centre is celebrating 30th anniversary this year.
