STARS Lottery launches with 2 grand prize homes

When time is a matter of life and death, the STARS Air Ambulance flies in to save lives.

This week marks the launch of the seventh STARS Lottery which is fundamental for keeping this emergency service in the air.

Buying a ticket for the STARS lottery could win you one of two grand prize showhomes worth $1.5 million built by D&S Homes, four vehicles or 10 dream vacations. The early bird prize is a truck and surf boat worth $146,000.

Amazing space at the Stars Air Ambulance Home Lottery prize home outside Pilot Butte. This is just the first floor. pic.twitter.com/zWavEi7qWx

— Adriana Christianson (@AdrianaC_JME) May 10, 2018

Upstairs at the STARS Home Lottery grand prize near Regina valued at $1.5 million. pic.twitter.com/2v9eAlwVvr

— Adriana Christianson (@AdrianaC_JME) May 10, 2018

STARS President and CEO Andrea Robertson said while the prizes are awesome this year, the money raised is even more significant.

“It’s over $10 million we raise every year and a fundraiser like the lottery will bring in a cool $3 million so it’s gigantic for us,” Robertson said. “Because it’s a provincial lottery we feel like we’re bringing all the people of Saskatchewan together to support us and it feels a little more special because of that.”

The money raised from ticket sales is critical for keeping helicopters and crews flying out of two bases operating in the province.

“For us, this money means having the helicopter and the people ready to come and get you when you need us,” Robertson commented.

She noted that the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy has brought attention to the incredible need for emergency services like STARS, which did send crews to airlift some of the patients out. While everyone can relate in some way to a tragedy of that scale, she said at STARS, those emergencies happen every day.

“What touches me the most is when I talked to someone who has been lifted or cared for by STARS and their life is different and they’re still here because we’re here,” Robertson said. “Nothing’s more important than that.”

The government provides funding for 50 per cent of the cost of operating the air ambulance helicopters, while the other 50 per cent comes from donations and fundraising.

You can purchase tickets online. The early bird ticket 77deadline is June 27 and the final deadline for tickets is July 19.