The Neepawa & District Medical Committee's Farm & Leisure Lotto ticket purchase deadline is fast approaching.
The deadline is Saturday, May 2nd at 7:00 PM, with the final draw taking place on Monday, May 4th at 1:00 PM.
Mary Ellen Clark, Lottery Chairman, said the amount of support the lotto gets each year, especially from the Dauphin area, is outstanding.
"They have supported us forever, the Dauphin and area people. Your surrounding community, they have supported us since day 1, and we've been doing this lottery for 20 years," said Clark.
The proceeds from this year's lotto will be going to the Beautiful Plains Community Medical Clinic in Neepawa. Clark said they have residency spots for doctors, some of which have signed on to stay in the community after their residency.
"We will have 8 extra spaces for our new doctors, because some of the new ones that have had their 2 year residency are staying here, they have signed contracts to stay with us in Neepawa, and beginning July 1st, we have 3 more residency students to take their 2 year residencies as well," said Clark.
The lotto's early bird draw was just over a month ago, and since then they've sold a lot more tickets. The 50/50 draw has also shot up, currently just under $70,000.
"We had a load of online applications come in from the early bird until now, and when I talked to the gal that helps run our lottery, she said the bulk of that came in from your community, came in from the Dauphin area," said Clark.
Between juggling in-person, online, and over-the-phone ticket sales, they've turned the lotto into a well-oiled machine over the years. Clark said the volunteers and staff that go into running the lottery each year are each an essential part of their operation.
"Right now we have 4 people sitting at a phone bank and a lady at the door, and another lady helping with tickets, plus our group that comes from Yorkton to help as well," said Clark.
730 CKDM's Alec Woolston is live on location at the Neepawa town office, today until 5:00 PM, and tomorrow from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
