Ponoka’s Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is launching a new monthly lottery aimed at bringing funds to the organization.
Dubbed the Ponoka Gold Rush, the monthly lottery is similar to a 50/50 fundraiser, except that BBBS will guarantee a minimum $1,000 to the lucky winner, says executive director Beth Reitz.
The more money that goes into the lottery, the more money a person can make, she added. “It’s definitely Ponoka’s only lottery.”
As the program needs grow at BBBS, Reitz said planners are seeing an increased need for funding, which is one reason for the lottery.
“We’re growing. There is just such a need for the mentoring program,” she explained.
The real benefit of the program is the social return on investment, she said. In 2013, the Boston Consulting Group provided results from a survey stating the social return on investment valuable.
The survey states there is an 18 to 1 social return on each invested dollar on a net present value.
“The results that we see from one-on-one investment is unbelievable . . . that one-on-one relationship changes lives,” stated Reitz.
One of the other benefits of a monthly lottery, she added, is it gives residents an opportunity to support BBBS without breaking the bank. A ticket costs $5 and supporters will be able to stop by several Ponoka businesses besides BBBS, which is the first phase of the project.
Ticket sales start Aug. 3 with winners called the last weekday of every month with a new draw starting at the beginning of every month. They will be announced in the Ponoka News once a month.
Stop by Ponoka News, Sommer Home Hardware, Ponoka Coop Oils, Ponoka Servus Credit Union, Ponoka Professional Pharmacy, ATB Financial and the Ponoka Youth Centre for tickets.
Reitz said businesses have already trained staff in preparation for the initiative.
Facts about BBBS
• Ponoka’s BBBS started in 1988;
• There were 135 children mentored in Ponoka and Rimbey in 2014;
• 250 kids were part of the group-mentoring program in 2014.