Big Wish Lottery announces early bird prizes

The Big Wish Lottery announced its 12 early bird draw winners, including 11 winners from Sault Ste. Marie and one from Bruce Mines.

Each prize is valued at $250.

Still up for grabs are six prize packages worth $5,000 and the grand prize worth $70,000.

Tickets sales end on Jan. 31 with draws happening at 10 a.m. on Feb. 1.

For more information, read the news release below: 

The 2023 Big Wish Lottery launched in mid-November, and the community has been incredibly supportive of this local fundraiser. On Jan. 3, the first set of draws were conducted, and 11 Sault Ste. Marie residents and one Bruce Mines resident were awarded with great early bird prizes from local businesses. Each winner has won a prize valued at $250 just for buying early.

• Jan. 3 - Brian Woolley of Bruce Mines won a $200 Savoy’s Jewellers gift card + $50 cash with ticket number 99002444001.
• Jan. 4 - Nancy Huff of Sault Ste. Marie won a $200 Laser Advantage gift card + $50 cash with ticket number 99002030004.
• Jan. 5 - Gillian McBride of Sault Ste. Marie won a $200 Storey Home Furniture & Design gift card + $50 cash with ticket number 99000609002.
• Jan. 6 - Rod MacLeod of Sault Ste. Marie won a $200 Soo Video TV gift card + $50 cash with ticket number 124386001.
• Jan. 7 - Doug Carpenter of Sault Ste. Marie won a $200 Odd Job Jacks gift card + $50 cash with ticket number 99002322004.
• Jan. 8 - Cecilia Lavergne of Sault Ste. Marie won a $200 Soo Mill Gift Card + $50 cash with ticket number 99001791003.
• Jan. 9 - Anthony Azzopardi of Sault Ste. Marie won a $200 Esso Gift Card (in partnership with McDougall Energy) + $50 cash with ticket number 99002638001.
• Jan. 10 - Joan Robere-McGugan of Sault Ste. Marie won a $200 Rome’s Independent Grocer gift card + $50 cash with ticket number 99000821001.
• Jan. 11 - Tarja Loewen of Sault Ste. Marie won a $200 Searchmont Ski Resort gift card + $50 cash with ticket number 99000259002.
• Jan.12 - Maxine & Timo Rajala of Sault Ste. Marie won a $200 Soo Greyhounds gift card + $50 cash with ticket number 99000409001.
• Jan. 13 - Linda Painter of Sault Ste. Marie won a $200 Algoma Bicycle Co. gift card + $50 cash with ticket number 99002228002.
• Jan. 14 - Brent Ansley of Sault Ste. Marie won a $200 Fit Bodies, Fit Minds gift card + $50 cash with ticket number 99001863001.

“These 12 early bird draws have been a really exciting part of this fundraiser. But we know that the fun is just getting started,” says Tricia Lesnick, GHC Trust Fund manager.  “In just over two weeks, we’ll be awarding $100,000 in prizes in seven separate draws. It’s going to be incredible. The top prize is $70,000, so if you don’t have your ticket yet, don’t wait!”

The 2023 Big Wish grand prize packages are as follows. Each one is tailored to fulfill a specific wish in one’s life. 

1. Find your Big Wish - $70,000 cash prize.
2. Local Beauty - $1,000 cash, $2,000 Savoy’s Jewellers gift card and $2,000 Laser Advantage gift card. Total value: $5,000.
3. Family Space - $1,000 cash, $2,000 Storey Home Furniture & Design Group gift card and $2,000 Soo Video TV gift card. Total value: $5,000.
4. Home Refresh - $1,000 cash, $2,000 Soo Mill gift card and $2,000 Odd Job Jacks gift card. Total value: $5,000.
5. Everyday Needs - $1,000 cash, $2,000 Rome’s Independent Grocer gift card and $2,000 Esso gas card in partnership with McDougall Energy. Total value: $5,000.
6. Hometown Fun - $1,000 cash, $2,000 Searchmont Resort gift card and $2,000 Soo Greyhounds gift card. Total value: $5,000.
7. Body and Mind - $1,000 cash, $2,000 Algoma Bicycle Co. gift card and $2,000 Fit Bodies, Fit Minds gift card. Total value: $5,000.

NOTE: All cash prizes in the early bird draws, as well as grand prize packages two through seven, have been provided by this year’s draw sponsor, IDA Merrett’s & Group Health Centre Pharmacies.

“While we can’t wait to find out who’s Big Wish is coming true this year. We are also focused on the reason why we do this,” Lesnick says. “We are looking at purchasing as much equipment as possible this upcoming year, and that starts with Big Wish. In 2022, we raised funds to purchase a surgical scope, an HD surgical monitor, and a bone density scanner to benefit local patients, and we plan on doing even more in 2023.”

Big Wish tickets start at $25 each, two for $45 or four for $75 and are available online. You can also purchase tickets in person at the reception desk at Group Health Centre, 240 McNabb St.  Volunteers will also be at Rome’s Independent Grocers on Saturday, Jan. 28 and Sunday, Jan. 29 from noon to 4 p.m.  

Only debit/credit will be accepted as payment at in-person sales locations. You can always purchase securely online at bigwishlottery.ca or give the GHC Trust Fund a call at (705)759-5530.

Ticket sales will end on Jan. 31, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. The grand prize draws (prize packages one to seven) will take place at 10 a.m. on Feb. 1, 2023.

Founded in 1979, the Group Health Centre Trust Fund is a registered non-profit organization meeting the fundraising needs of the Group Health Centre, its patients, and the surrounding community of Algoma.