The STARS home lottery is celebrating 40 years of lifesaving service with what organizers call their “best lottery ever,” offering more than $4 million in prizes and funding nearly one-third of the non-profit air ambulance’s Saskatchewan operations.
Blake Robert, government relations and public affairs manager for STARS, said this year’s lineup includes two dream homes, vehicles, luxury trips, and thousands of other prizes — all while supporting the work of emergency crews in the province.
“It really is our best lottery,” Robert said. “What a great way to celebrate 40 years of STARS by having this fantastic lottery here in Saskatchewan. We’ve got two fabulous dream homes, one each in Saskatoon and Regina, two thrilling vehicles, three dream vacation choices — or you could take the cash. We’ve got six amazing adventure experiences, thousands of other prizes, outdoor, home, electronics, you name it, there’s a prize to make everybody happy in this lottery.”
The main lottery is accompanied by the Lucky Stars 50/50, with a potential payout of up to $2.5 million, and the Million Stars Daily Cash draw, awarding 40 prizes of $10,000 each.
“We like to say at STARS that we’re built by the community for the community,” Robert said. “The STARS lottery is such a great way for the community to get involved in our mission and help make sure that helicopter and our lifesaving care can be there for the next patient who needs it.”
Operating each STARS base costs about $12.2 million a year, Robert said, and lottery proceeds cover roughly one-third of that in Saskatchewan.
“It’s a huge, huge lottery for us,” he said. “It is one of the largest charitable lotteries in Western Canada, the largest in Saskatchewan, and we’re so pleased to be able to provide this opportunity. ... That opportunity ends tonight at midnight.”
Tickets start at $60 for the main draw and $10 for the Lucky Stars 50/50 and Million Stars Daily Cash. Packages and bundle deals are available.
“Tickets are available until midnight tonight,” Robert said. “You can go to sk.starslottery.ca or give our operators a call at 1-844-STARS-SK. We’ve got some great ticket packages if you want to bundle up — all that information is available on the website or by phone. Got to call today.”