COVID-19 is causing community groups to rethink their fundraising plans.<\/p>\n
For the past number of years, QCCR and the Hank Snow Society have partnered to sell 50\/50 raffle tickets.<\/p>\n
The money helps both organizations with their operating costs throughout the year.<\/p>\n
Norm Amirault with the QCCR Radio Society says the coronavirus has forced everyone to reexamine where they will get that support.<\/p>\n
\u201cTraditional things like bingos and chase the ace, and fundraising suppers and 50\/50s, a lot of those venues or avenues don\u2019t exist anymore. Or people are going to be reluctant to go to them because of fear of getting the virus and I can\u2019t blame them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amirault noticed other groups having success with online raffles and brought the idea to QCCR and the Hank Snow Society as an alternative to their annual 50\/50 draw.<\/p>\n
He says many of the challenges of a traditional draw are eliminated by this new way of doing business.<\/p>\n
\u201cFinding volunteers, getting money, making change, people having money, taking it to the bank, on and on and on. With this Rafflebox platform, basically with two clicks you can support both our organizations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amirault says 50 percent of the total raised goes to the winner while they pay Rafflebox, the company hosting the online ticket sales, a small percentage off the top to manage and promote their draw.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s optimistic the move online will pay off for the organizations as another obvious advantage of taking the 50\/50 online is the expanded reach of the draw.<\/p>\n
Normally, the groups would be limited to selling tickets within the community but the online platform opens sales up to anyone living in Nova Scotia.<\/p>\n
In June, Seaside FM, a community radio station in Eastern Passage awarded over $92,000 to the winner of their draw.<\/p>\n
Amirault says it would be a dream to hit that kind of total, but he is excited to see the amounts grow over time.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very hopeful that people will take a click online and look at it and buy a ticket or tickets according to their ability to do so. Again, we\u2019re hoping that this will be a good fundraiser for us both.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amirault says they plan to host a 50\/50 draw each month until June 2021.<\/p>\n
Tickets for the first draw to be held August 8 are on sale now and are available by clicking the link on our website<\/a> until August 6.<\/p>\n