A winner was announced this week for the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre's (CACAC) first-ever 50/50 lotto.

Serena Rohrer of Blackfalds was the lucky winner, and Cheif Executive Officer of CACAC Mark Jones said at this time, he's pleased both for their organization but to also bring some happiness to the community. 

"You know, you go into any new project, like a cash lottery, not really knowing what to expect but we had a fantastic committee that put together a lot of different promotional things. We hoped that with our first year we could break the $160,000 barrier and that would be a success, but to do $248,000 total pool was exciting for us. To know that we just awarded someone over $124,000 is great for them, and it's great for us, too," Jones said. 

The work of CACAC is stressful at the best of times as they deal with vulnerable children and hurting families. However, at this time of uncertainty, Jones said many organizations on the frontlines are aware of a potential influx in clients and client needs. 

“When times get tough, things happen… it’s heightened for a lot of people but your vulnerable kids are really at a lot of risk for having things happen to them,” he said. 

He explained that the timing of the lotto provides “An opportunity to fast-track some of our programming, to get out to the educators and front-line workers and [tell them] what to do when they suspect abuse and how to recognize signs of it. We want to put prevention programs and tools in those people’s hands to try and really, at the end of the day, try to eliminate as much [the abuse] as you possibly can.” 

Jones said that right now, they are staying focused on what they are trying to accomplish: help vulnerable kids. He said right now, more than ever, they are staying focused on their mission and expects that other non-profits who serve vulnerable populations are doing the same. 

He said right now, it's about empowering each other, other support workers and their clients through a time of uncertainty and anxiety. 

"It’s rewarding beyond belief to be able to talk to those people and to be connected with [our clients] and engaged with them. Whether that’s in our organization or any other not for profit - [the clients] need us at this time. They need it all the time, but at a time of a crisis like this, you really have to be there for each other even more. It’s just not a stable thing for them and we’re trying to bing a little bit more stability into their lives.”

Jones said at this time, he hopes people will remain calm for the young people in their lives who are even more uncertain of the sudden changes in our community, and that people will go forward with compassion and patience as communities work to continue to deliver valuable services.

From CACAC:

The Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre 50/50 Cash Lottery is now complete, and our lucky winner has been drawn out of 140,082 ballots – taking home $124,272.50!

The CACAC is pleased to announce the winner of the 2020 50/50 Cash Lottery: Serena Rohrer of Blackfalds, Alberta! We would like to thank Serena for her support of our lottery and congratulate her on her exciting prize!

“Every time I buy a ticket to this I always think that it doesn’t even matter if I win the lottery, I would donate to the CAC any day, any time – this organization means a lot to me.” Serena R. on the phone after we told her that she won.

This lottery not only successfully raised money for our organization, but it helped create even more awareness throughout all of Alberta, and we are extremely happy with the reach we were able to attain and the support we received.

“We have many loyal supporters who bought tickets again, and now we have a whole new group of people who have come on board once they recognized us at various community events, as they see the importance of the work that we do for our vulnerable children in Central Alberta.” Mark Jones, CEO

In just over two years, the CACAC has been able support over 880 children who have been impacted by abuse – from 78 Central Alberta (and surrounding) communities, through our collaboration and partnerships.