The Rotary Club of Simcoe is marking its 100th anniversary with a fun and meaningful way to give back — the Catch the Ace lottery. Now in its fifth week, the progressive lottery has a growing jackpot expected to reach $1,500 this round.
Here’s how it works: A deck of 52 cards is sealed in numbered envelopes and hung on a board. Participants buy tickets and choose one number. If their ticket is drawn, the envelope with their chosen number is opened. If it’s not the ace of spades, they still win 20% of that week’s sales. But if they do catch the ace, they also take home 30% of the growing jackpot — a pot that chairman Dan Hill says is steadily increasing.
Half of the lottery’s proceeds go to local charities. The Rotary Club has designated 45% of the proceeds for Norfolk General Hospital, 45% for the Norfolk Haldimand Hospice, and 10% for scholarships honouring late Rotarians Gord Watts and Jeff Scott — supporting local students pursuing education in the arts and medicine, respectively. Hill explains the scholarship categories are broad.
Club president Tom O’Neill says the lottery is just one part of the Rotary Club’s year-long 100th anniversary celebration.
Looking further ahead the Rotary Club also has their annual community pancake breakfast on the August long weekend, and a charity gala this September.
The draw takes place every Friday at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 79, (200 West Street in Simcoe). Doors open from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with the draw at 7:45 p.m. Join the fun for the 100th anniversary celebration and support your community.
Written by Jeremy Hall