WHITE ROCK — While the 2014 Vancouver General Hospital Foundation’s lottery home on White Rock’s Pacific Avenue — with vaulted ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, walnut hardwood floors and 270-degree views of the ocean — may seem like it’s all about looks, there’s a philanthropic vein that pulses throughout.
For 19 years, the VGH Foundation has been raffling off epic lottery homes that boast state-of-the-art design and appliances, along with oceanfront views, in a contest that ultimately allows hospital patients access to new, improved health technologies.
“(The Millionaire Lottery)’s brought in net proceeds that go to the hospital, over $60 million,†said Brian Dowling, senior vice president of finance and information systems at VGH Foundation.
That $60 million has been used for equipment purchases, patient stays and recoveries, according to Dowling.
“This is money that the provincial government just wouldn’t have for equipment, so it really makes a difference in the quality of the healthcare that can be delivered,†he said, noting that VGH is the primary hospital in the province for critical care.
“If you have something like a brain tumour, or (need) a transplant — those things that are really complex to treat — then Vancouver General, that’s the complex care that people in the province, quite frankly, can’t get anywhere else.â€
This year’s grand prize has a total value of more than $3 million, which includes the Pacific Avenue home with more than $130,000 worth of designer furniture and electronics, outdoor furniture on the two ocean-facing patios and a 2014 BMW i3. Winners have the option of taking $50,000 worth of vacations or $40,000 cash in lieu of the car.
The second grand prize is a Vancouver – Whistler package, a two bedroom and den townhome in False Creek plus a junior vacation suite at Hilton Whistler Resort and Spa, including a BMW i8 electric sports car, a $25,000 vacation and $1.1 million in cash. The third and fourth grand prizes are condos in Victoria and Kelowna, plus vacation packages, cars and cash.
The Millionaire Lottery also offers up VIP fall bonus prizes worth more than $40,000 (a 2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid plus $15,000 cash, or a $25,000 vacation plus $15,000 cash or $35,000 cash), a Christmas bonus prize of a $30,000 vacation plus $10,000 cash, or a 2015 BMW X1 xDrive 28i or $35,000 cash and an early bird prize of a 2014 BMW i8, vacations for life or $150,000 cash.
There’s also a chance to enter a 50/50 draw, with a one in 482,600 chance of winning. Chances to win a grand prize are one in 117,000 (total tickets for sale).
Tickets for the VGH Foundation’s Millionaire Lottery are one for $100, two for $175, three for $250 and eight for $500. Tickets for the 50/50 draw are $10 each, five for $25 and 15 for $50.
Visit Millionairelottery.com for more information.
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