The Penticton Vees and the Okanagan Similkameen Neurological Society (OSNS) Youth and Child Development Centre are making their final push for 50/50 ticket sales before a winner is drawn Wednesday, Dec. 16.
The Vees, in participation with the BC Hockey Hall of Fame, teamed up with the OSNS Youth and Child Development Centre for a 50/50 draw that will see 50 per cent of all the proceeds benefiting OSNS.
READ MORE: Penticton Vees receive anonymous $3,000 donation
Ticket sales began Dec. 3 and as of Monday (Dec. 14) the 50/50 ticket jackpot has reached over $2,000.
“With half of the proceeds going towards OSNS, especially during the holiday season, every little bit helps,” the Vees organization said in a news release.
The mission of the OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre is to maximize the developmental growth, emotional health and creative capacity of children in the South Okanagan Similkameen through early treatment and family care.
“For over 40 years, through sheer determination and incredible effort, the OSNS has lived this mission. Treatment programs, such as speech and language pathology, psychology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and autism intervention, assist over 1,600 children annually at OSNS. The demand for these vital programs is great and growing,” reads a release from the OSNS.
Government plays an important role in funding the OSNS but falls short of providing the necessary operating expenses. As a result, the centre must spend a “phenomenal amount of time, energy and resources” to fundraise each year to cover its operating costs and provide innovative programs to continue helping as many children and youth as possible.
This year, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has made securing funds even more difficult for the OSNS, as the majority of community fundraising events that are vital to funding the OSNS needed to be re-visioned or cancelled.
Tickets for the 50/50 draw can be purchased up until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 16. The winner will be announced just after 4 p.m. on the same day.
To order tickets, head to bchhf-vees.rafflenexus.com
READ MORE: Penticton’s OSNS facing financial crisis amid COVID-19