Organizers have dreamed big for a local hospital lottery that boasts a $1.3-million grand prize home.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Dream Lottery in London, which has raised a net total of more than $28.2-million since 1996 in support of the Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre, St. Joseph’s Health Care, and London Health Sciences Centre.
"Our role is very specific in the hospital. We don't fund things that the operating dollars cover in the hospital, we don't fund salaries, we don't fund operating costs," says Michelle Campbell, CEO and president of St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. "We fund healthcare excellence that enables us to bring new technology into the organization, it enables us to trial new medical procedures.
"We have medical technology in imaging, in surgery that other communities simply don't have because [they don't] have this lottery."
The grand prize lottery winner this year will have the choice of a home that features a London Knights-themed basement and indoor hockey rink, as well as a Mercedes-Benz that will be waiting in the driveway or $1-million cash.
There are also a number of secondary prizes that include cars, trips and cash, as well as a number of other draws such as the Early Bird draws with a prize-per-day in January and February. There are several deadlines for early draws which can be found here.
As well, the 50/50 Plus draw has returned this year with a guaranteed minimum prize of $250,000 and no maximum.
Campbell says the Dream Lottery is one of the first “mega lotteries” in the province.
"What a privilege it has been, not just to see the amount of money raised for healthcare that helps everybody in the community, but also to change the life of the person who ends up winning the grand prize," she says.
Builder Wastell Homes was contracted to build this year's Dream Home, and was recently made a “Holmes Approved Homes” builder by TV-star contractor Mike Holmes.
"Where we see the money going, how it's used and how needed the money is here in the community by people, made us want to be a part of [the lottery]," says Douglas Wastell, president of Wastell Homes, who adds that his company has built more than ten homes for lottery.
Londoners will get a chance to meet Holmes himself when he visits the Dream Home on October 15 from 12:15pm-1:45pm.
The final deadline for ticket sales for both the Dream Lottery and 50/50 Plus draw is December 15. The grand prize draw for the home and 50/50 will be made on January 18.
For more information on the Dream Lottery and its prizes, click here.
