Creighton Lodge is running a big spring raffle.
Due to the pandemic restrictions, for the second straight year, Creighton Lodge was unable to host its annual spring dinner fundraiser, which usually sees about 200 people in attendance. So they came up with another activity aimed at raising funds to improve the living conditions at the lodge.
"We decided we still want to do something. A - raise money for the lodge for capital projects. But B - to also just remind the residents that we're still fundraising for different things in the lodge. And we're not going to stop just because of COVID," said Creighton Lodge manager Shelly Veroba.
In 2020, they were planning on hosting the Duelling Pianos program and were "really looking forward to that," according to Veroba. But since the program and supper were cancelled, they had some donations left, and they wanted to use them for the good of the residents.
"We came up with the idea of a spring raffle," Veroba said.
In 2020, Fire Sky Energy gave Creighton Lodge money to sponsor a raffle, so with the cancellation of last year's event, these funds are being used now. Southern Plains Co-op donated $1,000 in gift cards, which will be the first prize in the raffle. Creighton Lodge also used some donated money to purchase more co-op gift cards for the second and third prizes, each sitting at $500. McGillicky Oilfield donated a Bosch drill as a fourth prize.
Aero Advertising supplied a cozy blanket and a cooler for the fifth place winner. Nelson Motors provided the sixth prize, which is another high-quality blanket. And the seventh prize is a GFL gift bag, which is a cooler with a free bin rental certificate inside.
Money raised through the raffle will help improve living conditions at the lodge.
"We are projecting to raise $9,000 profit. And that's going to go towards making our shower room more accessible for the people. Right now we just have a small shower to walk in. We're going to put a toilet and a sink and an extra bench in there just to give people a little more room.
“And also, if they happen to have a caregiver that needs to go in and help them bathe, this will allow them to do so. So we're going to have to knock out some of the walls and make it bigger. But with the extra money, it's definitely going to help," Veroba said.
Creighton Lodge also received money from the United Way Estevan for the project, and the funds raised through the raffle will help them to cover it all.
They are currently looking for contractors to come in, assess the project and place their bids.
"We're looking for contractors right now, if someone is interested in putting a bid on this project, they can call (the lodge for more information)," Veroba said.
The raffle draw will take place on May 20. Tickets are $10 each and are available at Creighton Lodge and through people affiliated with the facility. There were only 1,000 tickets available. To purchase tickets, people can also call 306-634-4154 or come to the lodge during their work hours.
"We wanted to price tickets so that they were affordable. And we also love the fact that the prizes are things that people will find useful, like the co-op gift cards to help pay for fuel or groceries, etc.," Veroba said.
With a few married couples, there are currently 50 residents in 46 rooms at Creighton Lodge. A lot of residents don't have a full shower and find the public walk-in shower room more convenient. So this year's capital project will make it more convenient for many who chose Creighton Lodge as their new home.
