Dream Lottery sets sights on seventh straight sell-out

Could it be lucky number seven for the Dream Lottery?

The semi-annual sweepstakes in support of London’s hospitals kicked off on Thursday with organizers anxious to see whether the lottery will mark its seventh straight sell-out.

The spring edition will see the grand prize winner choosing between a luxury home in Thorndale or Port Stanley or $1 million cash.

The 2,980 sq. ft custom-design home at 43 Aspen Circle in Thorndale is fully-furnished and offers the perks of country living while still being just a short drive away from big-city necessities. The $1.5 million build has a red brick exterior and includes 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a butler’s pantry, and a wine enclosure.

“I could see myself living here,” said Scott Fortnum, president and CEO of the Children’s Health Foundation. “It is a very impressive place. I literally said ‘wow’ when I walked in.”

If living near the water is your dream, the home at 49 Compass Trail in Port Stanley could be the perfect choice. The fully-furnished 1,542 sq. ft home has 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, and is close to the shores of Lake Erie. In addition to the million dollar home, the winner would also receive $100,000 cash.

As a result of the pandemic, there continues to be no in-person tours of the dream homes. Instead, people can take a virtual walk through and purchase tickets online.

The previous six editions of the Dream Lottery have sold out, and Fortnum is optimistic this one will be no different.

“We are always pretty cautious as far as our projections and then we are surprised with how quickly it sells out, ” said Fortnum. “The last few lotteries sold out in a matter of weeks. I don’t know how quickly this one will sell, but I wouldn’t want to take a chance and possibly miss out… Plus if you buy early you get in on all the early bird draws. It would be a real shame to miss out on them.”

Early bird draw prizes include cars, trips, a $1,000 a week for a Year, and a log cabin Bunkie. The lottery also offers a chance to opt into the 50/50 draw with the purchase of a lotto ticket. The pot for the 50/50 last fall was a record $1,416,000.

The lottery has raised more than $50 million since 1996 for the London Health Sciences Centre, Children’s Hospital, and St. Joseph’s Health Care London. It is money that has made a world of difference for the three medical institutions, Fortnum said.

“These funds, millions and millions raised through the lottery over the years, are used to purchase equipment, to fund research and education, to fund various programs,” said Fortnum. “If you have been in any of the London hospitals you have been touched in some way or another by something that was funded through the Dream Lottery. The money raised is impactful and important.”

Tickets for the Dream Lottery can be bought online at www.dreamitwinit.ca or by phone at 519-488-7100.

The grand prize draw is slated to be held on June 30, but could be moved up if the lottery sells out.


Read original story from London Ontario – BlackburnNews.com

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