Chatham butcher takes winning cut in hospital fundraiser

Chatham butcher John Schinkel won a jackpot worth just more than $140,000 in a 50/50 fundraiser run by the foundation for the Chatham-area hospital group.

Seven weeks of ticket sales brought in $282,580 for the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation, significantly more than last year, with Schinkel awarded his half this week.

“I buy tickets for this 50/50 every year, but I certainly never expected that I would actually win it,” he said. “I’ve always looked at it as a donation and an easy, fun way to give back in support of the foundation and our local hospital.”

Schinkel said he was “in complete shock” after he learned about his win. “To be honest, I’m still having a hard time believing it now.”

Schinkel has been a longtime supporter of the foundation and local health care, personally and professionally, as president and owner of Schinkels’ Gourmet Meats. He’s also a longtime member of the Rotary Club of Chatham Sunrise.

Although Schinkel bought several tickets throughout the campaign, it was the last $75 ticket that he bought online on July 11 that ultimately contained the winning number.

This marks the fifth straight year in which the draw has awarded a jackpot exceeding $100,000.

Since its inception in 2019, the fundraiser has raised a total of $1.44 million, with half that money paid out to the winners and the other half used to buy life-saving hospital equipment.

Proceeds from this year’s fundraiser will support the purchase of a new Sterrad unit to sterilize medical equipment. The unit uses hydrogen peroxide gas plasma rather than traditional steam, leading to decreased turnaround times and helping to prolong the life of equipment.

“On behalf of the foundation, I want to congratulate John on his huge win, and express my sincere thanks to this amazing community for the strong and unwavering support that this 50/50 received once again this year,” Christine Colautti, foundation president and chief executive, said.

“Throughout the campaign, we talked to so many people who clearly understood the importance of fundraisers like this to support our local hospital. The money that we’ve raised together over the past seven weeks will have a profound impact on healthcare in Chatham-Kent for years to come.”

MCH Homes was also a supporter for this year’s fundraiser, as it has been since the beginning.

“As a foundation, we serve as the link between our community and its hospital, so the support of strong community partners like MCH Homes means the world to us because it allows our foundation to thrive,” said Bob Hockney, chair of the foundation’s board of directors.

For the first time, this year’s fundraiser also included three early-bird draws. The winners:

• Janice Mardling of Chatham won a $1,000 cash prize donated by Chorley + Bisset Ltd.
• Terry and Tom Bonnell of Ridgetown won a Broil King keg smoker donated by Chatham-Kent Home Hardware Building Centre.
• Timothy Badder of Thamesville won a Pelican Magna one-person kayak donated by Canadian Tire Wallaceburg.