A resident of Fort Frances has taken home a record-breaking pot in Riverside Health Care’s monthly 50/50 draw.
Riverside announced on Monday that Kelly Plichta of Fort Frances was the winner of the 50/50 draw for October, taking home an impressive $43,057.50, marking the biggest jackpot to date for the fundraising effort.
Plichta said the win was a bonus in addition to supporting local healthcare.
“It’s just a great way to support the hospital,” Plichta said. “I’m glad so many people are realizing it’s a good thing.”
The ongoing fundraising draws are currently supporting the organization’s ECHO Initiative, which Riverside said is “a community fundraising effort to bring echocardiography services back to the Rainy River District.”
“With a goal of raising $200,000 for specialized cardiac ultrasound equipment, the initiative is about more than purchasing new technology,” Riverside said in its release.
“It’s about bringing an important service closer to home, helping patients and families access the heart care they need without having to travel outside the district.”
Riverside’s Director of Fundraising Holly Kaemingh noted that as the October draw marked the organization’s largest to date, it’s encouraging knowing that people are continuing to turn out increasingly to support local healthcare.
“It’s incredible to see the momentum continuing to grow with our 50/50 draws,” Kaemingh said.
“Every ticket purchased helps us invest in better health care for our communities. Through our ECHO Initiative, we’re working to bring an important diagnostic service back to the district, and this incredible support is helping us get closer to that goal.”
Tickets for the November 50/50 draw are on sale now, with a chance to win the $1,000 Early Bird prize if tickets are purchased before Nov. 13.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.rhc5050.com, at the La Verendrye General Hospital Administration Office Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., by calling 807-274-6635, or in person every Thursday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. inside the hospital’s Main Entrance off Front Street.
Riverside is also encouraging the public to get in on this month’s draw in an attempt to break the record jackpot set in October while also continuing to support health care in the region.
