You can win thousands of dollars next week and help Coquitlam Search and Rescue buy a new boat in its inaugural 50/50 draw.
Closing Jan. 3, the draw is the volunteer group’s last push for public support to meet its fundraising target of $125,000.
Tom Zajac, president and search team leader, told the Tri-City News the draw launched in mid-December and has had “great success so far” toward the purchase of a 23-foot jet boat.
When complete, the custom-built aluminum watercraft will replace SAR’s 25-year-old Zodiac that is no longer usable.
“There is an urgency to get the boat finished,” Zajac said, noting they have loaned boats from various agencies in the meantime.
Like all SAR groups around B.C., 2020 has been a record-setting year for rescues with more people outside due to physical distancing measures imposed by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. Zajac said Coquitlam SAR responded to 69 tasks this year in 86 operational periods.
Over the past year, a number of organizations donated money to help the team buy the boat. They include the city of Coquitlam, Mariner Brewing and, most recently, the Pitt River Boat Club.
As for the 50/50 draw, the jackpot stood at $7,665 on Dec. 29; the winner takes half. Single tickets are $5 while three-ticket packs are $10 and 10-ticket packs are $25.
The draw will be held on Jan. 5 at 6 p.m. at the Coquitlam SAR training base: Coquitlam firehall #1 in City Centre.
The chances of winning are one in 8,253.
To order gaming tickets online, customers must be at least 19 years old, live in B.C. and be in the province to purchase online tickets.
Visit coquitlam-sar.rafflenexus.com.
