STARS Air Ambulance. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Win “Alberta Experience Packages” and support STARS in new fundraiser raffle

Jan 12, 2021 | 1:21 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – “It started as a project to help STARS and it grew into this huge online raffle thanks to the support of the Alberta businesses and those in the Lethbridge area included in that, to a really unique online raffle.”

Carla Minogue, Spokesperson at Friends of STARS Experience Alberta, is part of the team that helped to create this fundraiser in support of STARS Air Ambulance.

People in the province will be able to buy tickets for one of five different categories with each category having different kinds of experiences. Prize packages have been donated by sponsors or by the tourist companies themselves.

The categories are:

• Experience Alberta – Family Fun
• Experience Alberta – Family Sports Enthusiasts
• Experience Alberta – Attractions, Entertainment, and Activities
• Experience Alberta – Sports Enthusiasts
• Experience Alberta – Arts, Nature, and Outdoor Fun

Week-in-review: Federal Budget, water agreements and success for tourism industry

Apr 20, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 19, 2024

Apr 19, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: April 15, 2024

Apr 15, 2024

Within each of the five categories, there are 10 prize packages. Minogue assured that all 50 prizes will be given away.

A total of $64,000 in prizes will be drawn for. The prizes range in value from $500 to $3,010.

“The amazing part of it is that you can get out of your community, you can go experience something in Alberta, maybe in a place you wouldn’t think to go before. In 2021, not knowing how far we’re going to be able to travel and with the need to support local Alberta businesses, this could be a really great opportunity to do some travelling here in our backyard.”

There are two prizes that heavily feature Lethbridge and area businesses.

Prize 1 in the Family Sports Enthusiasts section, “Experience Discover Lethbridge Fun,” includes:

• $200 gift card to Evergreen Golf Centre
• Weekend Kayak rental for two and $100 Gift card from Awesome Adventures
• Two-night stay in an executive room at the Sandman Hotel
• Picnic experience for two at Nikka Yuko Restaurant
• Li’ethawaahkaa picnic basket experience at Fort Whoop-up
• Annual pass to the Galt Museum
• $100 Gift card from Southern Alberta Art Museum SAAG
• Birds of Prey private guided tour
• $100 Gift cards to Italian Table Restaurant and Theoretically Brewing
• Three-time pass at Unite YQL Yoga Studio

Prize 3 in the Attractions, Entertainment, and Activities section, “Experience Lethbridge from the Sky,” includes:

• Magical Balloon ride for 4 with Kiss Air Balloons
• $100 Gift card for Andrew Hilton Winery
• Two-hour guided tour and private viewing, wine and Charcuterie at Mortar & Brick – Arts Events

Minogue told LNN that the decision to raise money for STARS came from both their organization and several businesses who ended up becoming sponsors.

“STARS plays such an important role in many Albertan communities, particularly those that are more rural or a little farther away from the major centres, that require STARS to help transfer patients. A lot of these organizations just see STARS as such a critical service, a life-saving service, and jumped at the opportunity to get involved.”

Across Alberta, she hopes to raise at least $100,000 for STARS and help to boost the provincial tourism industry at the same time.

Raffle tickets can be purchased on the Friends of STARS Experience Alberta website until the end of Tuesday, January 26. Individual tickets are $20 while packs of three go for $50.

Draws will be conducted by STARS itself as it has the legal authority to hold such events.