Dewberry Ag Society has $66,000 up for grabs

The 7^th Annual Bred Heifer Raffle through the Dewberry & District Ag Society is underway, as well as a separate 50/50 draw.

Six subsidiary prizes total $10,000, the 20 bred heifers are valued at $40,000, and with the 50/50 there is an additional minimum of $16,000 available to win.

“It is a big deal. It’s our major fundraiser, and it makes a huge difference to the facility. The hockey rink was only open to the public for six weeks out of the whole year with limited access and extra protocols in place, but the bills kept coming in,” said Holly Holmen.

“We really need this fundraiser to be a success.”

She said the hockey rink is the absolute social hub of the community. Throughout the winter they try to host pancake suppers once per month, and even if people don’t have children or grandchildren playing they enjoy coming out to visit. The building is in its fourth season and she said it’s just as beautiful as the day they opened it.

Last year was their first sell-out for the draw and with the tremendous support in a COVID year, Holmen said she thinks people were going online and checking out local opportunities from home. They are approximately 50 per cent sold so far, and hope for another sell-out this year.

“Just because you buy on one does not mean you have to buy on the other, or you can buy both,” said Holmen.

With a separate $10 ticket for the 50/50, she said last years winner took home over $24,000.

The heifer lottery has a grand prize of 20 bred heifers or $40,000 cash. Second prize is $5,000 and there are five additional $1,000 prizes. Tickets cost $100, and there are only 2,500 printed. The draw date will be August 23, 2021 at Cornerstone Co-op in Dewberry.

You can purchase tickets online by visiting dewberryagsociety.com or e-transferring dewberryheiferlotto@gmail.com (send a second email with your contact information so they can forward your ticket).

“A huge thanks go out to the volunteers that go to work every time we have an explosion in ticket sales. No one person can do it alone. Thank you also to the entire province of Alberta for getting on board with small town initiatives. We’ve sold tickets to repeat buyers in every corner of the province,” said Holmen.