STARS Lottery behind in ticket sales, asking for Albertans’ help

ALBERTA – The STARS Lottery says its about 20-per cent behind where it should be at this time for ticket sales, and is now asking Albertans to pitch in before its too late.
 
The early bird cutoff for the 24th annual lottery was Wednesday night (Mar. 1). That draw will be made March 17. The main draw cutoff is March 22, with the draw on April 13.
 
Tickets can be purchased online at www.starslotteryalberta.ca or over the phone by calling 1-888-880-0992, for $25 each, three for $60, six for $100 or 18 for $250.
 
“Last year was a tough year — but we did manage to pull it off — and we’re even behind that by about 10-per cent. That gap has been narrowing,” said Mark Oddan, STARS representative, adding that tickets sold out just hours before the deadline in 2016.
 
Oddan says there are more than 3100 prizes up for grabs, worth an estimated $4.9-million retail. One of the grand prize homes is even right here in Lethbridge.
 
But he urges Albertans to think beyond just that.
 
“The lottery for us is really crucial. It brings in approximately one-third of our operating budget in the province. So, that’s basically the amount needed to run one of our three bases in Alberta.
 
“We are active all across the province, wherever there’s a need,” Oddan continued. “Within the last fiscal year, we were on 74 missions just to Lethbridge alone, and certainly dozens more when you look at the surrounding area.”
 
Over the last year, air ambulance crews helped 1800 patients in more than 250 communities across the province.