The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC), home of Ontario’s Turtle Hospital, is thrilled to announce the return of its popular online 50/50 raffle.
This exciting fundraiser, licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and subject to their regulations, is a great way to support the cause and win big. The 50/50 Raffle launched on Friday, Oct. 25. Ticket sales end on Monday, Nov. 25, and the draw date is Tuesday, Nov. 26. The pot is already over $38,000, meaning the winner takes home $19,000, and there is still time for the pot to grow.
The OTCC is a registered charity that protects and conserves Ontario’s native turtles and their habitat. It accomplishes this by operating a turtle hospital that treats, rehabilitates, and releases injured turtles, conducting extensive research to further conservation initiatives, and running a comprehensive education and outreach program.
Helping Raise Funds
Participating in the OTCC’s 50/50 Raffle is simple. For every ticket you purchase, half the amount goes into the prize pot, and the other half goes towards treating and caring for injured turtles admitted to the OTCC. The last 50/50 raffle winner took home $14,310, which means the same amount went to helping the turtles—thanks to everyone who purchased tickets.
In a 50/50 raffle, the prize money is half the total ticket sales, so the more tickets sold, the bigger the prize. Your participation gives you a chance to win big and directly contribute to the conservation of Ontario’s turtles.
Wildlife Rescues
Fundraising for wildlife rescues is essential because it directly supports the care, rehabilitation and conservation of animals affected by vehicle strikes, habitat loss, pollution, climate change and mishaps due to human activities and infrastructure. Wildlife rescues often receive limited or no government funding because they fall outside government budget priorities, frequently focused on healthcare, infrastructure and human services. While governments allocate some funding for conservation programs, it’s usually directed toward large-scale, high-profile environmental initiatives or specific endangered species programs rather than smaller, local wildlife rescues.
Most wildlife rescues operate as non-profits to remain operational, relying heavily on donations, grants and fundraising to cover expenses. Securing government grants can be challenging, as it frequently involves strict compliance criteria, lengthy application processes, and competition with other environmental organizations that equally need the funds. This funding gap is why community support and fundraising are so crucial— and why wildlife rescues, for example, the OTCC, rely on donations for medical treatments, food, specialized equipment and staffing, allowing them to continue their essential work in caring for injured turtles native to Ontario so they can be released back into the wild to fulfill their unique and valuable role in the ecosystem providing services we all depend and benefit from.
With a record 2,300 turtles admitted to the turtle hospital this year, your support is more urgent than ever. Every dollar you contribute will make a significant difference! The hope is that the raffle pot will surpass the last raffle, and this will directly translate into more resources for the OTCC to continue its vital work in caring for injured turtles and promoting their conservation.
50/50 Raffle Conditions
Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre is the legal operating name of Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre, Registered Charitable Business #857524409 RR0001.
AGCO License RAF1425891 | Must be 18+ and a resident of Ontario
Prize: 50% of Ticket Sales
Ticket Prices: 40 for $100; 12 for $50; 3 for $20; 1 for $10
Sales End: November 25, 2024, | Draw Date November 26, 2024, 11:00 AM EST at 2785 Television Road, Peterborough, Ontario K9L 1E9.
For more information about the 50/50 Raffle or other ways to help turtles, email info@ontarioturtle.ca, call 705-741-5000, or visit ontarioturtle.ca. Click here to buy raffle tickets.
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