Hanmer man drives away as top winner in Northern Raffle

Everyone who bought a ticket in the 17th annual Northern Raffle for the Red Cross was a winner — for supporting community endeavours.

On March 28, however, a few people walked away with actual prizes for their support.

The draw, held at the Red Cross' Sudbury location, included about 17,500 entrants from around the north, reaching as far away as Thunder Bay to North Bay, and everywhere in between.

Winners from the draw include:
Grand prize — 2012 Nissan Murano SUV or $25,000:
Philip Nylund of Hanmer
Second prize — 2012 Polaris Sportsman H.O. and gift certificate (approximate value of $9,000):
Judy Lessard of Wawa
Third prize — five $1,000 cash prizes:
Todd Richards of Timmins
Sarah Pruys of Fort Frances
Darcy Paquette of Val Caron
Burton C. Brown of North Bay
Eleanor Boyd of Thunder Bay

“Northern Ontario has always been (full of) community-minded people,” David St. Georges, community services co-ordinator for the Red Cross, stated. “We continue to see that each year through their support of our Northern Raffle.”

Harvey Wyers, president of the Canadian Red Cross Sudbury Branch said every ticket purchased means good things for the north — from providing a senior citizen with transportation to an appointment to housing support to First Aid training.

“That's a powerful thing,” he said.

For more information on the Red Cross, visit redcross.ca.

NorthernLife.ca was a sponsor of the raffle.

Posted by Arron Pickard