By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter)

Times are Tough, Albertans are Tougher – Thank You from STARS

Apr 6, 2016 | 10:41 AM

CALGARY:  The rough economy has impacted every element of business and charity. STARS air ambulance felt the brunt of it in February.

For the first time in its 23-year history, STARS had to plea for Albertans to reconsider that extra purchase. In this case, it was hoped consumers would help with the slumping STARS lottery ticket sales, as there was concern that the lottery would not sell out, for the first time ever.

The plea did not fall on deaf ears, or stony hearts, as Albertans from across the province jammed phone lines and created a surge in website traffic. The result was the sale of $2 million worth of tickets in three days.

Just hours before the cut-off deadline, the last ticket was sold. The lottery tickets will provide the non-profit air ambulance with more than $11.5 million.

STARS wanted to thank Albertans for their generosity. As a small gesture of appreciation it purchased temporary decals (cost only $10 each) which the organization hopes will be priceless.

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The special decals have been placed underneath the nosecone of the BK117 helicopters and under the tailboom of the AW139 helicopters so they are visible when the aircraft is overhead

The decals read “Times are tough, Albertans are Tougher”, and will remain on the aircraft until the next lottery in 2017.