A new 2022 Ford Bronco Sport and $5,000 in cash were given away at Sarnia’s Finch Ford Lincoln on Dec. 28 as part of Noelle’s Gift’s third annual Vehicle and Cash Draw.
Members of the Paquette family joined Finch Ford Lincoln managing partner Mark Guy and Francis DeSena and Martin Riley Law Offices’ Martin Riley to draw two names from the raffle drum.
For the third consecutive year, the non-profit sold out of all 1,211 tickets for the draw – the number was chosen to symbolize Noelle’s Dec. 11 birthday – raising roughly $73,000.
Mark Downey was the grand prize winner, while David Mair’s ticket was plucked from the drum for the $5,000 cash prize.
Downey, reached by phone shortly after the draw took place, couldn’t believe his good luck.
“Okay, knock it off,” he said, suspiciously, eliciting smiles on the faces of the Paquette family. “I am in complete shock … this better be serious.”
Money raised from the draw will go directly towards helping youth across Lambton and Kent counties, said Noelle Paquette.
“This is the third year in a row and we’re thrilled that we sold out once again,” she said. “The demand is bigger than ever and we’re being utilized so much more. This money will help us continue our nutrition programs, which have tripled in size.”
“It’s really heartwarming and we’re very grateful for the community’s support in continuing to honor Noelle’s legacy,” Nicole continued. “It’s coming up on 10 years … and the support over the years has been just incredible.”
“We’re excited to be involved with Noelle’s Gift, and from getting to know Nicole and the family over the last few years we’ve realized what kind of a contribution they’ve made to the community,” Guy added. “We wanted to continue on with what Rob Ravensberg from Lambton Ford started and we look forward to partnering with them for many years to come.”
Noelle’s Gift’s next event will be their annual gala dinner at Sarnia’s Dante Club. The gala takes place Jan. 28 and this year’s theme is ‘A Gala Evening at the Tropicana’.
For more information, visit www.noellesgift.ca.